%f/ 




.ULU 



Fos 



•EI^ 





ft* 



*aCM 



ZULULU 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC 



HANNA A. FOSTER 







JAN 3,1892 , 



G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 



NEW YORK 
27 West Twenty-third St, 



LONDON 
24 Bedford St., Strand 



1892 






< 



Col'YRIGH 1, i8qI 
BY 

HANNA A. FOSTER 



Electrotyperi, Printed, and Bound by 

Ube ftnicfeeibochcr press, IRew Korh 
G. P. Putnam's Sons 




INTRODUCTION. 



T^HE masterly epic which celebrates the abduc- 
* tion of a beautiful woman, and the induction 
of a wooden horse, is no longer a series of myths. 
Its essential verities have at length been estab- 
lished in the priceless exhumations of the anti- 
quarian. 

The sunny lands of the Americas teem with 
buried evidences of a civilization which in its at- 
tendant triumphs of war and peace, and in the 
intensity of its loves and hates, perhaps no Homeric 
character could excel. 

Many theories have been evolved from the 
speculations of the savant as to the anthropology 
of the successive American races which have come 
and gone. But no Homer or Virgil has seen fit to 
commemorate their heroic deeds and the tender 
passion of love indigenous to every clime and race 
and heart. 

The author, while claiming no classic excellence, 
has patiently studied so much of the history, rites, 
and customs of the Mayas, Nahuas, and Toltecs 



IV 



INTRODUCTION. 



as is attainable, and selecting the golden era of 
peaceful progress betwixt the gruesome periods 
reddened with human sacrifices, has sought to sing 
a tale of passion, tragedy, and romance consistent 
with the chronology, fact, and tradition of which 
it is a part. 

Ancient Mexico and Xibalba had their Oribos 
and Zululus, as well as their culture heroes, with 
whom the indulgent reader will become acquainted. 

H. A. F. 





CONTENTS. 



CANTO I. 

PAGE 

Anahuac I 



CANTO II. 
The Oracle 14 

CANTO III, 

XlBALBA 27 

CANTO IV. 
Kaska . .37 

CANTO V. 
Portents , . 43 

CANTO VI. 
The Flight 53 

CANTO VII. 
The Conflict 59 



vi CONTENTS. 

CANTO VIII. 

PAGE 

In Quizquo's Cave 64 

CANTO IX. 
After the Battle 69 

CANTO X. 
The Fever Weed 75 

CANTO XL 
The Search 84 

CANTO XII. 
The Triai 91 

CANTO XIII. 

Some Causes will be Heard Again .... 97 

CANTO XIV. 
A Plea for Life 102 

CANTO XV. 
Fulfilment 108 

Notes 115 




ZULULU, 
THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 



CANTO I. 



ANAHUAC. 



TN days of eld, that yesterday 
•^ Lost from the calendar, away 
Behind the centuries gray and grand 
Lay westerly the sunlit land 
Of Anahuac,^ whose mountains bold, 
White-hooded chroniclers grown old, 
Stood up in heaven's eternal calm 
And challenged time. 

A land of balm. 
And bloom, and song, and murmuring rills, 
Cool crystal lakes, and vales, and hills 
With grassy slopes where sunshine played ; 
Of unhewn forests ripe with shade 
Far stretching like a sombre sea. 
Intense with depth and mystery — 



ZULULU, 

The haunt of life so free and wild 
That Nature wondered at her child. 
A land the very gods did love 
What time they lifted her above 
The fevered zone to healthful heights, 
And crowned her with untold delights.'' 

Here, dwelt in olden pomp and power, 
The gallant chief Oxac,' the flower 
Of chieftancy. With dauntless heart, 
Alert, and skilled in war's red art, 
Of balanced brain and nervy hand, 
A man to counsel, lead, command. 
Though many hundred moons had shed 
Their silver on his princely head, 
His stalwart form was all unbent 
As when to earliest war he went 
A stripling brave ; his keen, black eye 
Undimmed, still read the lettered sky 
And marked the planets as they beat 
Their azure rounds with shining feet 
To score the cycles in their flight 
On mile-stones of primeval night. 

A double nature his ; though mild 
As zephyr's breath, yet fierce and wild 
As hurricane that plucks the oak. 
Or fells a forest by his stroke. 
A man of subtile, sudden moods, 
Who forth to abstract solitudes 
Would oft compel his noble heart 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 

From human sympathy apart, 
Withdraw within himself, content 
With narrowest environment 
If but the world might be shut out, 
The gods shut in with thoughts devout 
And questioning. But when again 
Came Oxac to the life of men, 
The world of duty, beauty, sense, 
Bore impress of omnipotence ; 
Affairs of state, love's gentle call, 
He noted, heard, and heeded all 
His soul absorbed the warm delisrhts 

o 

Of summer lands, all sounds, all sights. 
At glow of noon, or twilight dim, 
Were marvellously sweet to him. 

He swayed the power of felt command. 
Held justice's scales with steady hand, 
Marked with exactness each offence, 
Its gravity and recompense. 
And dealt with prompt relentless fate, 
The awful penalties of state.* 

Of royal birth, with rightful claim 

To rich inheritance of name, 

Ancestral wealth, and power and pride, 

Yet would he often turn aside 

With Nature, when like dreams of night 

The shadows melted into light. 

And new-born day, baptized with charms. 

Sprang joyous from her gracious arms. 



ZUL UL CI, 

At noontide hour he sought her, far 
From life's distracting noise and jar, 
For converse sweet ; and when the gray 
Of twilight veiled the weary day, 
Adown her evening avenues 
O'erhung with stars and paved with dews 
Full oft he followed. 

Nature spells 
Her laws by easy syllables 
To those who trace o'er pages white 
Her index finger tipped with light. 
A pupil apt, he understood 
Her whispers in the solemn wood. 
Her sighs among the mountain pines. 
Her breathings 'mid the valley vines, 
All paths her foot was wont to press ; 
He heard the rustle of her dress 
As through the golden maize she sped, 
And touched his lips, and bowed his head. 

Yet more ; his will was held in thrall ; 
His soul was full of worship ; all 
Her mighty forces meekly bent 
Before the gods ' omnipotent 
Who gave the sunshine and the shower, 
And victory in the doubtful hour 
Of conflict, or with vengeance dire 
Sent tempest, pestilence and fire. 
With sore disaster. To appease 
The rage of angry deities 



THE MAID OF AN AH U AC. 

And hold their favor, Oxac reared 
Full many a temple, and well steered 
His craft of state through calm and swell, 
By faith's unquestioned oracle. 

The valley held in warm embrace 

A pretty lake with dimpled face 

O'er which the rippling laughter skipped, 

Where song-birds from her fresh lips sipped 

Love's liquid melodies, which made 

An Eden of the sylvan shade. 

From hidden homes among the hills, 
Came prattling down the merry rills, 
O'er shining sands and pebbles white, 
Fair wantons, dancing with delight. 

From distant northland, calm and strong, 
A river rolled ; with bloom and song 
The margin meadows sought to stay 
The steadfast pilgrim on his way ; 
He tarried not ; within his soul 
Eternal purpose held control, 
While deep-toned voices from the sea 
Urged onward to his destiny. 

Like some huge giant in repose. 

His heaving breast o'erspread with snows, 

In slumbers ominous and deep. 

Now shivering, talking in his sleep, 



ZUL UL U, 

Old Popocatepetl ' lay, 
His knees enwrapped with green and gray 
Thick-woven, and his hoary head 
High-pillowed and cloud-canopied. 

Low at his feet among the flowers, 
Were villages with walls and towers, 
And busy throngs who spun and wrought 
Life's wondrous web of deed and thought.'' 
Ho, weavers of that long ago, 
What word for us ? 

" 'T is well to know 
As flies the shuttle to and fro 
The pattern grows, and not in vain 
Does patience hold the tangled skein, — 
A break, a knot in thread of gold 
Will mar the web a thousand-fold." 

The royal city Iztapec * 

Rose in her beauty from the wreck 

Of one despoiled ; more proud perchance, 

Because of direful circumstance 

Which shook the olden city down. 

But left a name, and fair renown, 

And broad foundations, hers at length, 

Her polished stepping-stones to strength. 

Within this city Oxac built 
His palace home, o'erlaid with gilt 
The ceilings of its massive halls. 
And covered lustrous floors and walls 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 

With'legends writ in picture words, 
Of gods and heroes, serpents, birds. 
And characters of strange designs 
Described by geometric lines, 
All chronicled in colors ' sure ; 
And every room had garniture 
Of regal opulence and ease. 

Soft swung the door-way draperies, 
Their silvery fringes flashing back 
Bright glances on the zephyr's track — 
The zephyr, that in wanton mood 
Oft floated from the odorous wood 
The palace seeking, and beguiled 
By gentle breathings of the child 
Zululu," lingered while she slept. 
Nor thought o'er long the watch he kept. 

Zululu was the chieftain's pride. 

His only child ; he could not hide 

His heart from her whose winsome grace 

Would chase the care-cloud from his face. 

And light his eye — she could but know 

It was because he loved her so. 

Ten summers in her path had strewn 

Their blossoms, and ten times had flown ; 

A little maiden full of glee. 

And happy all the day was she ; 

As lightsome as the gay gazelle 

That bounds along his native dell 



ZULULU, 

'Neath Afric skies, and questioning 

All things for joy — and everything 

Returned glad answer ; thus she grew 

Beloved, and beautiful, and true ; 

Her heart as tuneful and unstirred 

By thought of ill, as May-time bird 

That cleaves the blue. When from the chase 

Oxac returned, her glad young face 

First met him with its greeting fair, 

The sunset's gold upon her hair,^' 

And wealth of sparkles in her eyes, 

As dancing down the galleries 

In gay apparel, on his sight 

She flashed, a vision of delight. 

Companions they, in fields and bowers, 
Together learned the names of flowers, 
Their lovely natures and designs. 
The while for consecrated shrines 
Zululu many a garland bound. 
With reverent love, unfearing crowned 
Her temple gods. But when her hands 
Grew weary, and on fragrant bands 
Lay folded, Oxac would retell 
Some wonder story, woven well 
Of legendary thread spun out 
From years forgotten, wound about 
By weird ideals, but with form 
Defying cataclysmal storm, 
Which stood above the misty sea 
As traced upon eternity. 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 9 

LEGEND OF CHOLULA.'' 

Far away in the past, in the beginning, 
Ere the light of the sun had been created, 
Lifeless, and void, and dark with desolation, 
A dreary waste, by boundless seas surrounded, 
Lay this fair land, the home of the Nahuas.^' 
At length arose the sun and scattered darkness. 
Then was the land possessed by men gigantic, 
With faces terrible, and forms distorted. 
Who stalked abroad and looked with eyes au- 
dacious 
Upon the sun — his rising and his setting. 
And said, " Lo, we will seek him in his chamber " ; 
Then some swift-footed toward the far west jour- 
neyed. 
And others eastward, yet were all turned backward 
By the wide sea. Then came they to Cholula 
And built a mighty tower with summit lifted 
To touch the sky. " Now in his unveiled beauty. 
In matchless glory bathed, shall we behold him." 
Their impious words heard the Great Heart of 

Heaven, 
And to the dwellers of the heights celestial 
Out spoke with mighty voice : " Come and con- 
found them ! 
Earthborn, they build of clay with hands polluted, 
A highway to the heavens. Amazing folly ! " 
Like lightnings fierce, down swept the starry 

legions 
And smote the tower with terrible destruction, 



lO ZUL UL U, 

Each man in speech made alien to his fellow, 
And scattered swift and wide the wicked builders, 
Whose deeds Cholulan ruins scarce remember. 
Whose names Cholulan ruins have forgotten. 

Long time intent, the dark-eyed child 

Would listen, led through mazes wild 

To many a wonder-land remote 

From modern thought, her magic boat 

Wide waters sailing toward green shores, 

Where dimpled hands might drop their oars, 

And softly anchor to the past 

An atom in that misty vast ! 

With foot untired, and vision clear. 

She breathed the marvellous atmosphere 

Of deluged worlds, and races lost. 

And paths primeval darkly crossed 

By fate. Yet had she greed of good. 

She loved and better understood 

The story of the god ^* benign. 

Whose name and virtues all divine 

So charmed her that the pure and true 

Into her very being grew ; 

While thoughts that knew no form of speech 

Grew restless with desire to reach 

New altitudes, where questions find 

Plain answers. For each human mind 

Instinctive tries its pinioned wings. 

And each, in touch with unseen things 

Is neighbor to his fellow : Where ? 

It matters not : that vital air 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. II 

Inbreathed at birth, all life inspires — 
Through all gradations ; its desires, 
Ambitions, loves, hates, hopes, and fears, 
To all climes native, through all years 
Immortal. 

Love did so unite 
The chieftain and his child ! his might 
Zululu crowned and glorified 
With all a daughter's trust and pride. 
Her simple plays he stooped to share, 
Her wishes were his sacred care ; 
However oft, his hour of rest 
Invading with the fair request, 
'T was Oxac's pleasure to repeat 
The story that she deemed so sweet. 

LEGEND OF QUETZALCOATLE.'^ 

From the far east — from Hue-Hue-Tlaplan," 
Came the Divine One, God of the Nahuas, 
The Plumed Serpent, guardian of his people. 
Who brought the golden maize to Tamoanchan,^^ 
In furrows long did hide the seeds of plenty. 
And bid the gentle south winds breathe above 

them, 
The vernal showers, life giving, drop their fulness, 
Till woke, and rose, and in the sunshine ripened 
Abundant harvests, making glad our fathers. 
Great was their god, beneficent and gentle. 
With holy hands he cleansed their bloody altars 



12 ZULULU, 

And made them pure and bright with fruits and 
flowers, 

Empurpled clusters, eglantines, magnolias ; 

From mountain pines their gums, and from the 
valley 

Vanilla odoriferous, and spices. 

Then fled from Anahuac war, want, and famine, 

Nor found in all the land a habitation. 

Because the God of Peace — the Plumed Serpent, 

By virtuous precepts, and divine behavior. 

Made wise the people, in all arts benignant ; 

Taught them to fill their store-rooms with abun- 
dance. 

Enlarge their villages, and build great cities ; 

To feed with unstained hands their sacred fires 

And worship worthily the Heart of Heaven. 

Above the ruins of that impious tower. 
Hurled earthward by the mighty sky god mad- 
dened. 
The brave Nahuas in their hero's honor 
Built this eternal temple of Cholula, 
Where we, proud children of a race illustrious, 
His shrines enwreathe with flowers of fond affec- 
tion. 
And burn sweet incense on his sacred altars. 
Till he shall come again from far Tlapala — 
That unknown and mysterious country, whither 
In a canoe of serpent skins embarking 
He sailed away, leaving his happy kingdom, 
His palaces of turquoise, gold, and silver, 



THE MAID OF AN AH U AC, 



13 



His pyramidal temple, and his people — 

For so the feverish draught of Tulla^^ prompted. 

But by and by shall ope the gates of morning, 

From distant northland, waters wide recrossing, 

Shall come to Anahuac the Plumed Serpent, 

The God-King of our fathers, the Nahuas, 

To claim his kingdom prosperous and perpetual. 




>^t§^ 




CANTO II. 



THE ORACLE. 



ONE night a foolish dream he had 
Which troubled Oxac ; though he bade 
The vision vanish at the dawn, 
It shadowed him — would not be gone. 
The dream was this : 

Deep in the wood, 
With spirit bold, and weapon good, 
He followed fearless and afar 
Through darksome wilds the jaguar ; 
So near at length his savage prize 
He saw the flash of deadly eyes 
From covert green ; alert, intent, 
His trusty bow the huntsman bent 
With skillful hand ; but ere was sped 
The eager arrow, o'er his head, 
From lowest perch of scraggy oak, 
An evil bird with dismal croak 
Surprised him ! thrice it circled low. 
Then rose, and with a voice of woe 
Flew straight to Iztapec, and through 
The palace window, bloom and dew 

14 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. I 5 

With black wing brushing, thence did wrest 
A pretty dove from sheltered nest, 
The which, with hoarse, defiant croak. 
He bore away. — So Oxac woke. 

There was a priestess weird and old, 

Blind, wizened, bent, whose fingers cold 

And cramped the oracles could trace. 

With whom the gods talked face to face. 

The dream — it haunted Oxac's thought, 

And though he said " 'T is naught, 't is naught/* 

The resolute assertion lent 

No mollient to his discontent, 

Which prompted to the sibyl's art. 

And deeming heavier on his heart 

The burden of a nameless dread 

Than direful dream interpreted, 

He rose, and from his chamber strode, 

Though half in scorn, to her abode, 

A grewsome den to night allied ; 

With reckless hand he drew aside 

The poison vines which wove across 

The door-way dim from sedgy fosse 

To bramble bold, and peering in 

Beheld her, and his peace to win 

Invoked with fitting gifts the shrine 

Of rites mysterious and divine, 

And prostrate, but with quickened sense, 

Gave all her wild words audience. 

" Before my eyes, without disguise, 
O chief, the vision lies : 



1 6 ZULULU, 

"War, waste, and woe ; a foe, a foe, 
A kingdom's overthrow ! 

« A tangled thread, the dead, the dead ! 
A chieftain with bowed head. 

" A knave, a knave ! a brave, a brave ! 
Zululu weds her slave ! " 

Upspringing from the earth, he fled 

As chased by doom ; his stricken head 

By clammy palm upheld and pressed, 

His throbbing brain all wildernessed 

With tangled thought. The round old world 

Before him into chaos whirled ; 

The ground was treacherous to his tread, 

The atmosphere dispirited 

With suffocation, and the light 

Scorched his wild eyeballs into night. 

His palace gained, he sought a nook 
In distant chamber, and betook 
Himself to battle. Fierce the strife 
Within his bosom. 

" What were life 
To me and mine, if cruel fate 
Shall hurl us from this proud estate 
And rude barbarians trample down 
My people, city, and renown ? 
For this hath Oxac fearless fought 
His country's deadliest battles— brought 



THE MAID OF AN AH U AC, IJ 

Strange banners home, and victory ? 
So thus the gods reward him ! aye, 
For this his child — it shall not be ! 
A curse upon the prophecy ! " 

Rage is a fearful tonic ! through 

His vigorous frame the fury flew. 

Of iron nerve, he seemed to stand 

Invincible, with clenched hand, 

And lips compressed, and eyes aglow 

With angry fires ; then to and fro 

His chamber paced. Not more enraged, 

The jungle tiger, captured, caged 

By bars invisible. 

" A fate 
He scorns, doth Oxac meekly wait ? 
Who stands ? Who ventures to fulfil 
Designs resisted by his will ? " 
The impious words were scarcely said, 
When through an open window sped. 
As answering all, in echoes low, 
And sweet, and near, in rhythmic flow, 
The breath of music, and the name 
Of Oxac blent in proud acclaim. 

" Thy realm is broad and fair. 

Thy vassals sturdy and true ; 
About thee is wrapped the odorous air, 
And the skies above are blue. 
We have heard the fame 
Of thy mighty name 



1 8 ZULULU, 

In our home by the far-away sea ; 
Come we with greeting to thee — to thee, 
Great Oxac." 

Anear the window low he bent 
His ear, to catch the wonderment. 

" Thy heart is warm and bold, 

Thy treasures gather no rust ; 
Thy temple shrines are garnished with gold, 
And thy gods are wise and just ; 
We have heard the fame 
Of thy mighty name 
Sung by the shells of our sweet south sea. 
Come we with greeting to thee — to thee, 

Great Oxac." 

The spellbound chief in attitude 

Now upright stands — his brow bedewed 

By sudden drops — his maddened soul, 

As sprayed from God's baptismal bowl, 

In reverent silence reconciled. 

Subdued in spirit as a child. 

His evil mood had taken flight 

And left him in a strange delight. 

His good stout heart, in weak amaze. 

Quite vanquished by the breath of praise. 

" Thy hand is strong and brave, 

It gathereth fame from far ; 
Thy praises are echoed in coral cave. 

And sung in the morning star. 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 1 9 

'T is a deathless song, 

We have heard it long ; 
For it floateth o'er mountain and sea ; 
Bring we a greeting — a message to thee, 

Great Oxac." 

Within the palace Oxac brought 
His courtly visitors, and wrought 
Prompt hospitality and fair, 
With princely hand, and gracious air 
To greatness native, and with few 
But fitting words of welcome true 
To promptings of his noble breast, 
Allured to banqueting and rest. 

In audience-hall wide-walled, ornate, 
On rich official chair of state 
Bright-canopied and many-staired, 
Next morn sat Oxac. Thence repaired 
The strange ambassadors, low bent. 
In mien and posture reverent, 
By choicest phrase well taught to bear 
Their royal message. Otherwhere 
Seemed Oxac's thought, and yet he gave 
A courteous ear. 

The architrave 
Of soul is sense — it must be so ; 
To see, to hear, is not to Jznow ; 
The tongue may prattle many a day 
When soul is silent or away ; 
Sense answers to the fingerings 
Of trifiers ; 't is the soul that sings. 



20 ZULULU, 

The royal message Oxac heard 

Like one who dreams ; each tone and word, 

O'erfull of meaning vague, or good 

Or ill, not clearly understood. 

" Know thou, great Oxac, that our king — 
Good Kayi," — he who beareth sway 
Throughout Xibalba,'^" found one day, 

Enshrined with many a rare forgotten thing. 

An ancient record — linking thee and thine 

To sires illustrious of his royal line. 

" And ye are kinsmen ; it is well. 

We come to ask for Kayi's son 

A wife — so doth our business run, 
Directed by Xibalba's oracle. 
The gods inspire thy words, that we may bring 
A swift and gracious answer to our king," 

Then followed silence. Never fear 

Twitched Oxac's lip, or shook his knee, 

Yet his great heart stood still to hear 

The answer. " Time — a little time," quoth he, 

" To speak the destinies of lives and states. 

Noble ambassadors, my answer waits." 

In Oxac's garden was a spot 

Cool-curtained from the tiresome day ; 
Retiring thither, sometimes he forgot 

The world without — Zululu at her play 
Beside him. To this solitude, apart 
He turned with measured steps and troubled heart. 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 21 

Hour after hour alone with thought 
He lingered. " Why doth Kayi seek 

Alliance that with flattery could be bought ? 
And what can claim of kinship else bespeak ? 

A true nobility from self must spring ; 

Linked to old royalty makes no man king. 

" Xibalba, queen of tropic lands — 

My fathers sailed the summer seas 
That flung their pearls into her rosy hands ; 

A haughty beauty decked with brilliancies, 
Yet strong she was, and is ; — wives are there none 
In all her glittering courts for Kayi's son ? " 

" The son, who to his father's throne 
Will come with rounded fame and age — 

What then ? Zululu queen ! O thought o'ergrown ! 
I doubt me much, this seemly embassage. 

And yet — this doubt were better than the bane 

A foolish dream hath mixed for heart and brain. 

" Perchance I wrong the king, the state, 
Myself, my child, by doubts unkind ; 

Ungenerous judgments dwell not with the great ; 
Suspicion speaks a littleness of mind. 

Why should I meet with a reluctant frown. 

To my sweet child the proffer of a crown ? 

" Yet, O my child ! my child ! what words 

Thy father speaks in vexed hours ! 
Could I but keep the with the springtime birds 

Nor ever miss thee from thy native bowers ! 



22 ZUL UL U, 

When life's dull afternoon grows shadowy, 
And chill lips from the unknown whisper me, 

" How shall I stretch my trembling hands, 

And strain my weary eyes in vain ! 
O frenzied brain by flattery's breezes fanned ! 

Cruel, in cup of gold, the draught of pain ! 
A father's love by glory's glare beguiled — 
Away ambition ! give me back my child ! " 

" Look, father ; will it die ? alas 

My pretty bird you shall not die ! 
Good Zinco'^^ found it fluttering in the grass 

And in his warm hands let its feathers dry — 
But still it will not sing — it will not eat ! " 
So stormed the chattering maid Oxac's retreat. 

" Zululu : come to me ! yes — no — 

Ah, well, the bird — what did you ask ? " 

"Good Zinco " — but the chieftain thundered, "Go! " 
And spurned the trembling slave back to his task, 

Then to Zululu, half impatiently, 

" See you ! the bird is dead — throw it away ! " 

From that same hour was Oxac changed. 
His daughter — not from her estranged — 
He held her with a father's pride ; 
But like the ashes of his bride 
Love casketed, were thus laid by 
The tenderness of tone and eye, 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC, 23 

Endearing word, and warm caress ; 
It was not that he loved her less — 
His " gracious answer " had been won, 
And she was pledged to Kayi's son. 

To train his heart, that it might grow 
By fixed gradations to the woe 
Of final loss, to be most just 
Toward one for whom he held in trust 
His child — no longer all his own, 
His life took on a sterner tone ; 
Thus, when his face a sadness wore, 
She could not charm him as before, 
With pretty prattle, wondering " why." 
The light was kindly in his eye. 
But seemed as coming from afar, 
Unsympathetic as a star 
Whose silvery beams with promise rife, 
Shine on, but warm not into life. 

Those moods her arts could not dispel 

Cast shadows which about her fell, 

And followed to the woodsy shade. 

Where lone and silent she would braid 

Her autumn flowers — no longer bright ; 

Through tears they seemed as touched with blight. 

But when they faded, and the days 

Grew dismal in their dumb amaze, 

Zululu was not loath to cast 

Her cheerless sports into the past. 

What seasons chased away her spring ! 



24 ZULULU, 

Betrothed, and to a future king, 
Was fitness needful, and a school 
Of lengthened term and rigid rule. 
What heavy counsels for her ear ! 
What stern commands, what tasks severe 
For little hands unused to aught 
Save ministries to childish thought ! 
Yet must the pretty princess prove 
Worthy a royal husband's love. 
With character well poised, and full 
Of modest virtues, dutiful, 
Low-voiced and gentle, cultured, kind, 
With dignity of mien and mind." 

Her fingers must be taught to wed 
Their cunning to the silken thread, 
To weave with patient toil and care, 
In many a bold device, and rare, 
Xibalba's banner ; for her lord. 
With glittering gems, and golden cord 
His nuptial robe. 

But will she spin 
Love's feathery thread ? and broider in 
With dimpled fingers, birds and flowers — 
The dew and sunshine of glad hours. 
Bright hopes and rosy dreams ? Perchance ; 
For childhood is life's sweet romance. 



The seasons slowly came and went — 
Zululu, on her tasks intent. 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 25 

Gave little heed, but 'neath the eyes 

Of Bacca," set to supervise 

Her education, sped away 

From childhood artless, free, and gay, 

To graver realm — to womanhood. 

While lightly on the threshold stood 

Her guileless feet. 

Yet more she wrought 
Than robe and banner. Love untaught. 
Propelled the shuttle of her thought 
Which through her soul bright-winged flew, 
Till fancy's light creation grew 
A grand ideal at whose shrine 
A white life knelt with gift divine, 
Her maiden love. 

All virtues bore 
The name of Kaska.*** Unaware 
She prayed to him, but One who wore 
A radiant countenance, bent o'er 
The hills of light and heard her prayer. 
Her thoughts sometimes took voice, and trilled 
A tuneful measure, and so filled 
The hours with music, that the day 
Though wearisome, soon stole away, 

" Through and through, through and through, 

Polished needle, thread of blue : — 

Aye, sweet bird, I hear thy song, 

But my task is long, so long ! 

This a royal robe must be — 

Some one waits for me. 



26 ZULULU. 

" Through and through, through and through, 
Every color, every hue 
Copied from the sunset skies ; 
Will it glad his gracious eyes, 
That this border is so fair. 
Fringed with jewels rare ? 

" Through and through, through and through, 
Every loop and stitch so true ! 
Will he love me long and well ? 
How can little maiden tell ? 
Words — I know not what they mean — 
' Kaska's bride and queen.' 

" Through and through, through and through, 
Every hour some tinting new 
Floats into the web I weave. 
Shall Zululu joy or grieve, 
That she is a little bride, 
Knowing naught beside ? 

" Through and through, through and through, 
Twist the roseate with the blue ; 
Can a little maiden rest 
Lovingly upon his breast ? 
Trustfully ? it must be so — 
Aye, it must be so." 




CANTO III. 

XIBALBA. 

AT rest, two tropic seas between, 
On flowery couch o'erarched with sheen, 
Her language love, her breath the breeze 
Perfumed from groves of spiceries — 
Xibalba this, whose shores of green 
Beyond the billowy waste were seen 
By Votan," who one elder day 
Came hither with benignant sway. 
And long his chosen people led — 
The mighty Mayas. 

Far outspread 
Usumasinta's " fertile vale, 
Where marvels of an oldtime tale 
Were born, matured, grew old and died. 
Where rose the city of his pride 
Nachan ^'' luxurious, built to brave 
The dust of ages o'er her grave 
Slow sifting. 

From that ancient seat 
Of culture curiously complete. 
Sprang many a Maya ^® branch— from one 

27 



28 ZULULU, 

Was Kayi," an illustrious son 
Of sires whose royal lineage ran 
In line unbroken back to Chan.^" 
Thus came to Kayi sovereignty 
Of fair Xibalba. Wise was he, 
His goodly kingdom ruling well 
A score of Katun ^' years, when fell 
A shadow clouding heart and mind 
With apprehensions undefined. 



As once he slept, strange whispers stole 

Quite through the portal of the soul 

And woke him trembling. Armed and starred. 

About him stood his trusty guard — 

Yet scarcely were his fears dispelled. 

Thenceforth was doubly sentineled 

His palace chamber. Ill at ease, 

He dreamed of bold conspiracies 

By day and night. Sometimes in guise 

Of stupid slave, with downcast eyes. 

And clumsy tread, and shoulders bent 

With drudgery and discontent. 

He threaded crowded thoroughfares ; 

Or, trafficking his paltry wares, 

Long loitering in the market-place, 

A trader garrulous, the grace 

Of barter bickerings he tried — 

And now and then he would deride 

King Kayi — sometimes praise, the while 

He marked the answering frown or smile. 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 29 

O'erwearied, Kayi sought one day 

The grove's seclusion ; as he lay 

Cool pillowed on perpetual green, 

God's blessed curtains drawn between 

Himself and feverish cares, he slept — 

Yet wakefuUy — so constant kept 

His ear its well set watch. What feet 

Are those approaching his retreat — 

Near, nearer, and with what intent ? 

'T were well thick covert boughs low bent 

Forbade their glossy leaves to part. 

Above the beating of his heart 

The wretched king his name o'erheard 

In parable, with smothered word, 

And unfledged phrases in the dark 

111 born, hushed voices hoarse and stark, 

Some dreadful purpose making known 

By passion's murderous monotone. 

A quick discernment fear bestows ; 

King Kayi recognized his foes. 

Could call their names, their leader learned ; 

'T w^as he whose soul for vengeance burned, 

The old-time rebel, false Tetan,'" 

Once chieftain of a powerful clan 

In distant province. Years before 

His neck he bent, but ever wore 

The yoke defiantly. He knew 

Tetan, and all, but deathly dew 

By utter anguish quick distilled. 

His brow o'erspread ; his life-blood chilled. 



30 ZULULU, 

Forgot its speed from heart to brain. 
Alas the blow that deadens pain ! 
That voice was Kaska's very own ! 
His son was plotting for the throne ! 

King Kayi spoke his fears to none, 
But carefully observed his son, 
While day by day confirmed his fears. 
Young Kaska, grown beyond his years, 
Had princely presence, and a face 
Of manly beauty, with the grace 
Of youthful valor. In a mould 
Unblemished, dwelt his spirit bold. 
Aggressive, restless, desperate 
For that wild draught supposed to sate 
The thirst for glory. 

With what bands 
We seek to bind the lawless hands 
Of mad ambition stretched above 
The healthful bounds of light and love 
To pluck the stars, a name to win ! 
The fierceness of the fire within — 
Who lit it knows. The same who moves 
Contented souls in quiet grooves 
Of small desires. The strong, swift wing 
Of pride — the feeble fluttering 
Of innate gentleness, confuse 
Our faulty judgments ; but He views 
With equal eye, the eternal strife 
Of matter pulsing with a life 
Uncomprehended. 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 3 1 

Late returned 
Was Kaska, from a tribe that spurned 
Control ; commissioned by the king 
To quell rebellion and to bring 
Victorious peace — commissioned, since 
For service bold the restless prince 
Was fitted. Many a field is lost 
We fancied won — so great its cost ! 

Himself a traitor, Kaska chose 
Alliance with his country's foes ; 
He sought the ear of old Tetan, 
Well pleased to find him with his clan 
All couchant for a deadly spring 
Into the palace of the king ! 
But Kaska counselled brief delays. 
And fed the fires forbade to blaze 
Untimely. 

In the court he knew 
Were those, a despicable few 
Whom bribes could buy, and those he bought— 
Yet inly scorned them. Then bethought 
How good Oribo ^^ might be won, 
Oribo, Kayi's younger son. 
Whom all men loved ; not Kaska's peer 
In lordly mien, and acts severe. 
But comely, straight and tall he stood 
Like some young cedar of the wood. 
Sure promise of a giant good. 
Than Kaska, by twelve rounded moons 
The younger — but unequal noons 



32 ZULULU, 

They neared ; one dazzled — one was fair. 
For Kaska with the very air 
Of childhood strange delirium drew ; 
Two brothers, side by side they grew ; 
Two natures, ever drawn apart. 

Staunch virtues flourished in the heart 

Of young Oribo. Brave at need. 

He scorned a mean or cruel deed ; 

He would not smite a wretch in thrall, 

Nor shoot a bird to see it fall 

With dripping breast and broken wing, 

Because it was a helpless thing. 

No greed had he for power or fame ; 

With gentle actions graced his name ; 

So true to self, the gods, the state, 

Upright, symmetrical, ornate 

Of character, without offence, 

A very type of excellence. 

It troubled Kaska, how to speak 
Base purposes to one whose cheek 
No crimeful breath had ever kissed ; 
Whose clear, calm eye, above the mist 
That clings to sordid lives, could scan 
Unshamed the face of heaven and man. 

Beneath the palms one eventide. 
The prince approached his brother's side 
So quietly, the quivering blooms 
Half coyly yielded their perfumes. 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 33 

Oribo, with a pleased surprise 
Gave greeting. Royal courtesies 
Were Kaska's due — his future king 
Who soon to his estate would bring 
A lovely bride. Yet not a thought 
Of envy with his fealty wrought. 

" Nay, gentle brother, sit. From thee 
I ask not homage ; let me share 
Thy quiet hour, and this sweet air 

That comes with cooling from the sea. 

" For wearied am I, and my brain 
Much heated by the glare of day. 
While heavy thoughts my spirits weigh." 

"Would I might ease a brother's pain." 

" Thou canst, Oribo. In the chase 
To-day — whate'er its meaning be — 
A wounded rabbit fled to me.^* 

My bosom gave it hiding-place. 

" Would'st thou have sheltered it ? Say not, 
I know thou wouldst — yet hear me more : 
A hunted buck which fled before 

His fierce pursuers, reached a spot 

He could not scale. 

O then to see 
His desperate valor ! what a fight 
He made for life ! say, was it right 

To plead his cause, and set him free ? 



34 zuLuLU, 

" Nay, answer not — full well I know 
The language of thy noble breast ; 
Thyself wouldst plead for the oppressed. 

Nor yield him to a deadly foe. 

" Aye, good Oribo, thou would'st save, 
Spare, and set free the hunted beast. 
Pour out thy pity for the least — 
But if a wounded warrior brave, 
Enslaved with all his gallant clan. 

And crushed to earth, and if thy hand 



" Say on, I do not understand." 

" Dost know the chieftain, brave Tetan ? 
He pleads for liberty in vain ; 

The king is cruel, will not heed ; 

The gods forsake us in our need 
If we break not the old man's chain ! " 

" Hold, Kaska ! What ? Thy rash words scare 
My senses hence. The king is wise — 
Gods ! there is madness in thine eyes ! 

Thy thought is treason ! O beware ! " 

No further parley Kaska made ; 

He clapped his hands, and from the shade 

Of tree, and shrub, and fountain spray. 

And wandering vines in evening's gray 

Clad spectral, murderous minions sprang 

Upon Oribo. Soon the clang 

Of conflict through the city rang — 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 35 

And Kaska's voice inspired it all. 

*' On, on ! " — the palace ramparts fall. 

They leap the moat, they scale the wall, 

Those wild red demons of revolt. 

They burst the door with beamy bolt, 

And surging in like waves of doom. 

With Kayi's blood they flood his room. 

Their weapons, as with frenzy rife. 

In savage greed hew out his life ; 

And none essayed to stay a blade, 

So basely was the king betrayed, 

And so atrociously was slain ! 

'T is said old ruins still retain " 

A crimson record of the crime ; 

Deeds set in blood blush on through time. 

A DIRGE. 

O what a piteous thing 

Is a dead king ! 
Come gaze upon him, ye who yesterday 
Prostrate approached, come near and lay 

Your hands upon his head. 

And look into his eyes — 
Left open when in wild surprise, 
Frighted, his great soul fled ! 
For this your king, Kayi the wise, 
Is dead. 

Sweet winds, ye need not now 
So fan his brow — 



36 ZULULU, 

Too chill already is it for a crown 
Of earthly honor and renown — 

Too marred by treachery. 

His good right hand is cold, 
So cold it can no longer hold 
A little sovereignty ; 
King Kayi this, the wise, the bold — 
'T is he. 

How pallid is his cheek ! 

He does not speak — 
Too palsied is his tongue, to speak his will ; 
His pulses rest, his heart is still, 

His dull eye nothing sees — 

It will not wake nor weep ; 
These ghastly wounds, so red and deep, 
Are painless all — and these 
Are they that brought him sleep 
And ease. 

Alas, how small a space 

Gives greatness place ! 
Muffle your voices, birds and purling streams, 
Withdraw, O moon, your mellow beams ; 

Let clouds the heaven o'erspread, 

And flowers refuse to bloom 
For very woe, upon his tomb. 
For whom we love is dead. 
Ye gods, make swift the traitor's doom 
And dread. 






CANTO IV. 

KASKA. 

IN purpose, power. He does who wills. 
■* So men are gods ; so fate fulfils 
The soul's own prophecy ; so rise 
Earth ladders to meridian skies. 
And builders, with but human hands, 
Are toiling up from table-lands 
Of common good, to dizzy heights 
Where meteors flash uncertain lights 
On mortal names. Or high, or low, 
Make sure, O builder, as you go 
That every round is strong and true ! 
Build well — none else can build for you. 

The logic of the eye defies 
Deduction ethical and wise. 
That good is beauty, beauty good. 
Men ever best have understood 
Bright object-lessons — bowed the head 
To beauty — quite apart, unwed 
To worth. 

Young Kaska were a king 
Though from ambition's poisoned spring 
37 



38 ZULULU, 

Quaffed every power of soul and brain ! 
As foremost on the battle plain 
With plumed crest and stout cuirass ^^ 
What legions fell to let him pass ! 
His black eye flashing, and his foot 
As fleet as arrow bade to shoot 
A bird on wing ; his colors set 
In web of crimson, gold, and jet, 
He swept the land from coast to coast, 
Xibalba's terror, pride, and boast. 

Anon the bold revolt was o'er, 

And Kayi's son in triumph wore 

The crown by treachery achieved. 

If any for the old king grieved. 

Though dumb his woe, yet Kaska's glance 

Was keener than his battle lance 

To pierce the heart ! he naught would brook 

Of olden loyalty, by look. 

Or reverent tone that touched the name, 

Or loving sigh, or flush of shame 

For treason's triumph — naught. 

And yet 
Whom love hath crowned is sovereign. Let 
The kingdom quake, his throne is sure — 
For virtue builds of granite pure 
That cannot crumble ! Love ! O what 
Enshrines like love and wearies not 
With ceaseless vigils ? 

Kaska sought 
The seizure of all loyal thought, 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 39 

Himself was king in Kayi's stead. 

For good Oribo, if one said 

" Alas ! " and dropped his eyes, 't were best 

Unmarked by Kaska in whose breast 

Dwelt jealous hate that smote the lips 

Of pity, when the red eclipse 

Which swept Xibalba's sun from sight 

Gave Kaska day, Oribo night. 

A night of servitude than death 

More dread ; for what avails the breath 

That feeds not life, but quickens pain 

And lengthens woe ? The scorn, the chain, 

The drudgery that day by day 

Unnerves the man and wears away 

His spirit, till it beats no more 

With bruised wing its dungeon door — 

Such was the cruel fate decreed 

For good Oribo. None might plead 

For him, when maddened Kaska cried 

*' Away ! " and spurned him from his side. 

The slave of old Tetan, whose blade 

Red dripping, told the price he paid ! 

How tranquil is the tropic sky 
When once the tempest has gone by ! 
What gentle breezes lull the deep 
When sobbing waves are recked to sleep ! 
So when her civil storm was spent. 
Peace arched Xibalba's firmament 
And hope was in the new-wrought span. 



40 ZUL UL U, 

The patriot lives in many a man 

Before his mighty soul is tried 

By bribes and fears. From every side 

They thronged the new-made king about, 

And " Long live Kaska ! " rose the shout 

That spoke him great ! The hero takes 

Complexion from his deeds. Who makes 

A record for historic pen 

In black, or white, must dip his pen. 



The conflict o'er, luxurious ease 

The new king sought ; whate'er could please 

His senses, what his pride could feed, 

He summoned with a tyrant's greed ; 

Refitted with peculiar care 

His palace home ; with carvings rare," 

Renewed each pier and court fa9ade ; 

With rich mosaics all inlaid 

The spacious ceilings, walls, and floors ; 

The lintels of its twoscore doors, 

And double cornices embossed — 

And all with master skill reglossed ; 

Festooned his many royal rooms 

With arras from the choicest looms ; 

With sweeter fragrance, brighter flowers. 

Voluptuous made his garden bowers ; 

Cool fountains for his pleasure played — 

To charm him, many an iris made 

From showering spray when skies were blue 

And sunshine softly filtered through. 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC, 4 1 

Within, without, around, complete, 
The city's pride, the acknowledged seat 
Of power supreme, the palace stood 
On old foundation strong and good, 
Built up by Maya skill and might, 
A marvel on her terraced height 
Of solid grandeur, with a throne 
The young imperial called his own. 

To wait the coming of his bride 
Sore vexed the king, yet must he bide 
The fixed formalities of state, 
Unchallenged as the voice of fate. 
Betrothal bound, not his the power 
To change, or speed the happy hour 
By Oxac named. His restless eye 
Would chase that laggard from the sky, 
The cold-faced moon, whose silvery feet 
Paced off slow months ! O most unmeet 
His hand to cull the loveliest flower 
E'er coveted for royal bower ! 

To somewhat bate his discontent, 
A courtly embassy he sent 
To Oxac, bearing lavish praise 
And costly gifts, in fitting phrase 
His sturdy favor to bespeak 
With Kaska's greeting, and to seek 
How fared Zululu — and to free 
Xibalba's bird of prophecy 
Within her chamber. 



42 ZULULU, 

With a cry 
Of sudden terror should it fly 
Away, the omen were of ill ; 
If haply, with melodious trill 
Should sing as in its native wood, 
'T were well — an augury of good. 
Where lies in man the boundary line 
Between the human and divine, 
Both having place and unison 
In form earth-wrought, and breathed upon 
By God ? Yet dust is only dust ! 
A clayey casket which the rust 
Of time eats through — the body is ; 
And life is life — eternity's 
Co-equal. Thought that spurns control, — 
Each aspiration of the soul 
Is God-ward, though its flight be low : 
And Kaska, seeking long ago 
To read the book which God had sealed, 
To comprehend the unrevealcd. 
To grasp what hung beyond his reach, 
To learn what angels might not teach 
Of love's to-morrow, stretched his hands 
Through oracles of olden lands 
Toward one Omnipotent ! Thus hies 
All soul-life toward its native skies ! 
Whatever form its faith may wear. 
Through rudest rites or worship fair 
The spirit feeling after God 
Shall find Him. 




CANTO V. 



PORTENTS. 



T^HE land of Oxac was at rest ; 
■'• The bow of peace from crest to crest 
Of guardian mountains stretched across. 
The summer, that with green, and gloss, 
And shower and sunshine banished doubt, 
Now bade the ripening maize fling out 
His silky tresses, bade the vine 
Fill all his cluster cups with wine 
So pure and sweet an angel's lip 
Might press their purple rims and sip. 



The chieftain saw with honest pride 
How thrived his realm. On every side 
Brown hands were building strong and straight 
In peace, the bulwarks of the state. 
Old science, freed from civic jars. 
Explored the skies, and read the stars — 
Art hastening with his axe and block 
To fix the record into rock. 
Reaped industries an hundred-fold ; 
They opened hill-side doors for gold, 
43 



44 ZULULU, 

And wrought in woods and metals pure 
A curious nomenclature. 



The husbandman from varied fields 
Full harvests gathered ; luscious yields 
Of orchard fruitage plucked, and brown 
Abundance from the groves shook down. 
Broad commerce held imperial place ; 
Old scars were on his lifted face 
But healthful currents from his heart 
Made vital every village mart." 

The warrior brave, to join the chase 
Had noble leisure ; in the face 
Of beauty gazing, might forget 
His hideous war-cry and reset 
His tongue to tenderness, and prove 
How valorous natures yield to love. 
Yet were his battle-axe and bow 
At hand, and fit ; no stealthy foe 
Should find unmanned his dusky arm, 
His ear untuned to wars alarm. 



So like an eagle bathed in light. 
Clear visioned gazing from far height. 
His strong wing folded ; though at rest, 
Brave guardian of his high-hung nest 
Dwelt Oxac, and his borders kept 
With vigilance which never slept. 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 45 

Like maddened wolves athirst for blood, 
Impelled by famine, frost, and flood 
From northern regions to a zone 
Of warmth and beauty erst unknown, 
A-near in threatening tides, down poured 
The hungry, devastating horde. 
As old-time sea-kings roamed the main, 
So they the forest, vale, and plain, 
With sweep as terrible, for they 
Were near of kin ere seas made way 
Between the continents for doubt 
And washed their former footprints out. 

They ranged the land from sea to sea, 
The north wind not more wild and free ; 
In woods primeval sometimes lost. 
Their pathless wanderings led or crossed 
By angry streams, whose liquid dark, 
Swift dimpled by the birchen bark, 
Delayed them not ; a stealthy foe 
Whose savage whoop and camp-fire's glow 
Knew all the wooded wilderness, 
Yet knowing, many a dark recess 
Of thickest green she wove for them 
From clambering vine, and stalwart stem, 
And low-set shrub— from whence the flash 
Of glittering eyes, the yell, the crash 
Of cruel weapon, oft bespoke 
Some hapless hunter's fate, and woke 
With orgies dread the slumberous night.'' 
Ferocious in their untamed might. 



4.6 ZULULU, 

Long tutored to a strange unrest, 

They went and came, annoyed and pressed 

The frontiers of Oxac's domains. 

Once and again the lowland plains 
Had drunk of savage blood, and fed 
The fierce-fanged ocelot with their dead. 
In sanguine struggle oft renewed 
Though beaten back — still unsubdued. 
The warrior chief of Iztapec 
But held his ugly foe in check ! 

The air was full of nameless fears ; 
Drew on the " binding of the years," 
The cycle's close. What dreams of blood, 
Disaster, pestilence and flood, 
Eclipse and earthquake, near and dread, 
Great Oxac's soul disquieted ! 

One evening on his couch he lay, 
Not restfully — the cares of day 
Projected shadows on his hour 
Of quietude ; some troublous power 
Had stirred his spirit's customed calm. 
In vain the eve with hush and balm 
Low breathed her benediction fair 
O'er troubled brow and silvery hair. 

Fatigued, disheartened, and perplexed 
By problems intricate, and vexed 
By border bands who dared — but fled 
His vengeance long provoked, he led 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC, 47 

His ready braves in troubled thought, 
And fought, yet all unconquering, fought. 

Then too — and though he closed his eyes 
And sought to deem them phantasies, 
Yet had he marked a bodeful thing — 
The battle birds were gathering " ; 
All day, in mid-air poised — at eve 
Their sable wings did southward cleave 
The gloaming ! plenteous, warm, and red, 
Their dreadful banquet shall be spread ! 
Unwonted tremors mocked his might, 
And Oxac sickened at the sight. 

But more : Xibalba's messengers 

Had come and gone : through silver firs, 

Down pleasant slopes by windings fair, 

Came back on evening's quiet air 

The echoes of outgoing feet. 

But Oxac's fancies were more fleet. 

More prompt at Kaska's court than they 

With doubtful tidings, for no lay 

Of nuptial bliss their strange bird sang. 

But shrieked until the chamber rang 

With terror, and Zululu fled 

To Oxac's arms — her shining head 

Half hidden on his breast, while tears 

Bedewed the hopes of coming years ! 

Wore on the night, yet came not sleep 
To Oxac. Through the starry deep 



48 ZUL UL u, 

Looked down the gods with eyes malign, 
Perchance for some neglected shrine I 
O'er Luna in her fleecy dress 
Forth on her round of nothingness 
In space, the wild winds flung a cloud 
Surcharged with tempest, near and loud. 
Stood up against the piney hills 
The solemn temple ; awful wills 
Wrought in the elements, the breeze 
Quick maddened, shook the towers and trees 
Until they trembled for their hold 
On granite base and hill-side mould. 
Down swirled the storm king in his ire, 
With tones of wrath, and breath of fire, 
And hand swift sowing rain and hail, 
While black wings brooded all the vale. 

But Oxac heeded not ; by thought 
Tempestuous was his mind distraught. 
A half-forgotten dream awoke — 
The oracle which ill bespoke 
Zululu's fortune and his own 
Again he heard ! again was thrown 
Athwart his soul the dark distrust, 
Defiance of the gods unjust ! 
He cursed the oracle of old, 
Xibalba's bird, with wings of gold 
And throat of venom. 

With the dawn 
He slumbered. All the storm was gone 
When late he wakened. Some intent 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 49 

Had shaped into a deed. Forth sent 
The chieftain for Zululu. What 
His undeveloped purpose, not 
A sign betrayed ; his look was cold 
And resolute, his step was bold, 
As to and fro he paced his hall, 
Now listening for the gentle fall 
Of gentle feet somewhat delayed, 
Perchance to bind a glossy braid 
About her brow, or to express 
By nice adjustment of her dress 
Her nature's sweeter harmonies ; 
Perchance — but possibilities 
Take wing, as on his ears — 

" O chief, 
The gods this mystery make brief ; 
Zululu's room is empty, still — 
Her presence answers not thy will ! " 
So spake the messenger aghast 
With terror. 

Fingers chill clutched fast 
The heart of Oxac, and he stood 
Like one bewildered in a wood, 
Scarce knowing that himself were he ; 
Yet soon awoke the energy 
Of conscious strength, which scorned to yield 
One foot of any battle-field. 
The guards their wonted posts had held. 
The city well was sentinelled. 
Nor gate, nor street, nor corridor 
Unkept amid the crash and war 



50 ZULULU, 

That filled the air with deafening sound, 
And shook the palace, drenched the ground, 
Poured torrents down the mountain path 
And smote the temple in their wrath. 
. And yet were demons of the night 
In league with the mysterious flight 
Of fair Zululu and her maid ! 



The fragrant breath of morning swayed 

The drapery of her chamber charmed 

By soft confusion, and alarmed 

By feet unwonted ; on the floor 

The pretty veil Zululu wore 

When summoned by the chief to meet 

The embassy ; a garland sweet, 

But slowly fading, grieved away 

Its little life, and near it lay 

A coronal of pearls, the gift 

Of Kaska ; on her couch a drift 

Of gorgeous stuffs, in gold and green, 

And crimson, and in azure sheen 

Her light apparel for the days 

Delicious, when the sunshine plays 

With dewy sweetness. 

O to come 
Within a room where nought is dumb, 
And everything says " Gone ! " Aye, more, 
Says " Gone — we know not whence ! " The lore 
Of anguish this, the choke-damp air 
Of desolation and despair ! 



THE MAID OF AN AH U AC, 5 

There are who live, not knowing why, 
Or how, save that they cannot die ! 
There are, who suffer grief and loss — 
Great souls, whom tempests beat and toss 
But cannot sink ; who ply the oar, 
Their compass keep, and make the shore ! 
And such seemed Oxac. 

Who endures 
With courage what he must, half cures 
His pain, grows strong, and speeds his night 
By counting stars that give him light. 

Within the palace and without 
Each nook was searched, in and about 
Guards stationed. Through the city sped 
The tidings swift, because so dread. 
All day the fruitless search was pressed, 
The sacred shrines anew were dressed, 
And Oxac, humbled to the dust, 
Implored the gods he deemed unjust. 

What flashed the fancy on his brain 

That checked his prayer ? His bosom's pain, 

In momentary frenzy died ! 

He called a chosen few, and cried : 

** Pursue Xibalba's embassy ! 

Bring back my stolen child to me ! " 

No sooner heard their chief's command, 
Than sprang to arms the honored band — 



;2 



ZUL UL U. 



Enthusiasts, by the gods endowed 
With fateful zeal, the prompt and proud 
Avengers of great Oxac's wrong ! 
Amid the cheering of the throng 
At set of sun they marched away, 
Soon lost to sight in evening's gray. 





CANTO VI. 

THE FLIGHT. 

' r^ OOD Bacca, courage ; like a reed 
^-^ Thou quakest ! wherefore ? for our need 

The blue-eyed lightnings — how they play 

Along our path ! A curious way — 

I stumbled on it when a child, 

Its very mystery beguiled 

Me hither. Softly ! we are near 

The low, dark entrance — do not fear 

But follow." 

'T was a granite hall, 
Low-roofed and tortuous, floor and wall 
The gods well laid, what time was hewn 
The sacred chamber dim with rune 
To which it led. 

^' Hold fast my hand 
Good Bacca," with the sweet command 
Zululu drew her on. Low bent. 
On, through, and up the wild ascent 
They groped their way into a night 
Unmooned and starless ! Left and right 
The passage broadened more and more, 
53 



54 ZULULU, 

The ceiling lifted from the floor, 
Until they stood within a room 
Capacious, hung with heavy gloom 
And full of silence. Whispered low, 
Zululu : 

" Bacca, well I know 
The god is here — I feel his breath 
Upon my cheek ! 't is chill as death 
Had touched his lips : — yet fear I not ; 
To this secure but awesome spot 
He well hath brought us — well will keep- 
And he will give us rest and sleep." 



Small service Bacca's to compose 

Their scarlet cushions for repose, 

To shake the royal mantle out 

And wrap the pretty form about 

And whisper *' Peace " — the good-night word 

Zululu's ear had ever heard 

Ere sleeping ; but as ne'er before 

She caught the meaning which it bore — 

A trustful calm — a full release 

From wakeful woe — " Peace, Bacca, peace, 

And restful slumbers." 

Wearied they — 
So long and rough had been their way. 
With needful stores so laden ; rest 
Came soon and sweet, beyond the quest 
Of swift pursuit ; for none would brave 
A near approach to Quizquo's"' cave ! 



THE' MAID OF ANAHUAC. 55 

Far up the mountain's wooded side 
There yawned a chasm deep and wide — 
Weird antechamber of his hall ; 
One only doorway, dim and small, 
The dreadful god had left ajar," 
Nor had it need of guard or bar 
To halt unhallowed feet — he sent 
So prompt and fierce a punishment. 

About this cave with terrors fraught. 

Old half forgotten legends wrought 

With dim complexities of sense 

Enduring ramparts of defence ; 

What hunters over-venturesome 

Who never from the chase had come ! 

What chastisement for folly, borne ! 

What fleeing shrivelled souls forsworn 

Celestial good ! rash souls who tried 

To push th' eternal doors aside. 

To seek with avaricious eyes 

The stores within his treasuries ! 

Clouds, smoke, and earthquake scared the land 

When Quizquo lit his awful brand 

From Popocatepetl's fires, 

And smote unnumbered bloody pyres. 

Yet never had Zululu feared 
The mountain god her faith revered, 
The being whom her guileless sense 
Had clothed with fair omnipotence. 
A god all virtuous and wise 



56 ZULULU, 

She saw him — never in disguise 

So ugly as to fright away, 

In visions or by night or day 

Her sweetest thoughts of love and might. 

She oft had listened with delight 

The low-voiced winds and rippling streams, 

His lullabies to charm her dreams, 

And guide her through the mazy round 

Of pilgrimage to holy ground. 

She had a quiet, reverent trust 
In Quizquo — she believed him just, 
And therefore good ; instinctive took 
Her gracious creed from Nature's book. 
She knew that tiniest blossoms grew 
Anear the chasm, all gemmed with dew. 
And by divine afflation fed. 
So strangely fair and perfected ! 
And she had seen the song-bird swing 
The feathery brake, and dip his wing 
In brimming basins cool and brown 
Where danced perpetual waters down 
From hidden fountain ; she had heard 
Soft harmonies as zephyrs stirred 
Boughs amaranthine, to imbreathe 
The shadowy silences beneath. 

" He loves the birds, and flowers, and trees, 

With all their fine affinities 

For human souls — it must be true 

He loves their friend Zululu too." 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 57 

So when the bird with evil strain 
Had burned into her throbbing brain 
And smitten soul its withering 
Of spring-time hopes, while that dull thing 
The world calls " life " stretched on and on, 
She knew not whither — lost in wan 
To-morrows, shivering had she flown 
The scene, and in her room alone 
With Bacca, sought to burst the bands 
Of anguish ; wrung her helpless hands 
In reckless woe, and murmuring wept 
Till slowly to his setting crept 
The hazy sun. 

Then like a flower 
Grown strong 'neath heaven's baptismal shower 
She dried her tears, stood up and said : 
*' 'T is well — Zululu will not wed 
Xibalba's king. Nay, do not chide — 
No longer is this Kaska's bride, 
But Oxac's daughter ! Mark her well 
Good Bacca ; in her breast doth dwell 
His stalwart soul ; her pulses thrill 
Obedient to a master will — 
Her grand inheritance. The past 
How bright ! The future overcast 
With clouds, the present full of pain, 
Regrets, and longings, drenched with vain 
And senseless tears which were beguiled 
By sudden woe ! a chieftain's child, 
I scorn them, and these southern gems ! 
What were a thousand diadems 



58 ZULULU. 

Paled with disaster, to a brow 
Disquieted ? 

The gods endow 
True lives with suffering to invite 
The soul to tempt a skyward flight 
With strong, swift wing, though in the dark. 
See ! shadows beckon, lightnings mark 
Our pathway ; let us flee and hide. 
Till Kaska shall forget his bride ! 
Up, up the mountain's rugged side 
Is Quizquo's cave — nay — start not thus ! 
A god so great will care for us, 
Since pitiful he is and good 
To all the weaklings of the wood." 

'T was thus Zululu won her maid 

To service perilous, and stayed 

Her fluttering heart, and sped the task 

Of preparation. 'Neath the mask 

Of friendly darkness, in disguise 

They passed adown the galleries, 

Like shapeless shadows, out, and through 

The massive walls ! 

Zululu knew 
Where lay — his gray head in the dust — 
A stone that late had fled his trust 
And left an opening near the ground ; 
With careful stilly search she found 
The portal which no sentry kept, 
And through it unperceived they crept. 




CANTO VII. 



THE CONFLICT. 



"T^AYS passed — how long and desolate 
-"-^ To Oxac, o'er his daughter's fate 
Perturbed and tortured 'neath the dense, 
Chill, heavy clouds of dumb suspense ! 

Days passed — how long and dull they seemed 

To Kaska ! days all unredeemed 

By worthy purpose ; incomplete 

Because by noble deeds and sweet 

Unrounded. 'T is no idle thing — 

The moment that with golden wing 

Flies backward to eternity 

Full freighted, thoughtless soul, by thee ! 

Day after day with love's surmise 
Went Kaska forth, his eager eyes 
Far sweeping the horizon's rim 
From early dawn, till twilight dim, 
To catch some sign for eye or ear 
Bespeaking the approach and near 
Of long-expected embassy — 
E'er yet they came. 

59 



6o ZULU LCI, 

What though their way 
Lagoons debarred and streams unspanned, 
Dark wooded hills and seas of sand ? 
Though rough and perilous and long 
The route from thymy groves of song 
To loveliest vale of Anahuac ? 
To Kaska, trifling as the rack 
Of summer skies a breath might chase, 
Obstructions seemed — they found no place 
With him. 

At length their coming tread 
He heard and more. Old courtiers bred, 
With tongue persuasive trained to reach 
By dainty idioms of speech 
Unwelcome truths, led through the maze 
Of foreign favor, gifts, and praise, 
Till Kaska warned the dallying tongue ! 
With eagerness he caught, but flung 
Aside the tidings ere half told. 
Discerned the doubt 'ncath tissued fold ! — 
" The beautiful Zululu led 
From sweet seclusion, with her head 
Low bent, and cheeks aflame, to see 
And hear the bird of prophecy ! 
Its brilliant plumage charmed her eye, 
But when, with strange terrific cry 
It fled her gentle hand in fright. 
She wept and stole away ! " 

A light 
Unheralded his dark eye flashed, 
And blood impatient hotly dashed 



THE MAID OF AN AH U AC. 6 1 

His cheek, the while he smiled in scorn — 
An ominous smile of passion born, 
And charged with wrath ! 

'' Ha ! go," he said, 
His proud lips tremulous, " go shred 
Your pretty story in the ears 
Of slaves ! — my promised bride in tears ! 
My palace brooded by the bird 
Of destiny ! yet know^ — a word 
Of this, — a sign, a look, a breath — 
Is certain ignominious death ! " 

His lords withdrawn, the king conferred 
With power and pride ; to kill the bird. 
Defy the omen, and possess 
His bride they counselled him, nor less 
His will approved. Should he, a king 
Whose sceptre was no trifling thing. 
Yield his prerogative to fate 
Like men uncrowned, dispassionate. 
Who, menaced by a fear, forswear 
The god within ? To will — to dare — 
The two fierce forces known to lead 
Success — he yoked them for his need ! 

" No bird in all the land," he cried, 

" Shall fright from Kaska's arms his bride ! " 

Ere long a sullen hum awoke ; 

A shapeless sound which grew and broke 

In tones discordant — tones that seemed 



62 ZULULU, 

But meaningless to him who dreamed 
Of coming bliss, till swelled the sound 
To sudden tumult ; from the ground 
It rose imperious, and wrought 
Its interdict of happy thought. 

A warrior band was at his gate, 
Strong-armed strangers, desperate 
And rude of speech. 

*' In Oxac's name — 
By his command, we come to claim 
His child— Zululu ! These demands 
To Kaska ! from his crafty hands 
Be swift release or shall he know 
The vengeance of a northland foe. 
Go— speed the message to the throne ! ' 

** By all the gods let blood atone 

The base indignity ! Breaks thus 

This Oxac most perfidious, 

Our sacred bond ? False-hearted chief ! 

He seeks a quarrel — be it brief 

And hot ! " 

So cried the king in wrath — 
Enraged as if across his path 
A serpent venomous did crawl. 
He stamped the fair floor of his hall, 
And glared with frenzied eyes adown 
Upon the tumult of the town. 
For forth to red encounter sprang 
A host of ready braves ! Out rang 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 63 

The cry " Avenge the king's disgrace ! " 
With battle-axe and pointed mace," 
And ponderous hammer, dart, and spear. 
Enraged by hate that blinded fear, 
In close encounter foe met foe 
Where deadly thrust, and crushing blow 
Threw wide the door of swift escape 
For many a warrior soul, from shape 
Rough hewn to earth. 

Yet all in vain 
Strove Oxac's noble few ; their slain 
High heaped the gateway where they fought,'^ 
Till stood but two, who well bethought, 
" What boots it thus to throw away 
Our lives in this unequal fray ? " 
Forth through the murderous lines they broke, 
The while in awful fury woke 
The wild pursuit — o'ercome at length 
By northern courage, speed, and strength ! — 
On, on to Anahuac ! 

Not long 
Might Oxac suffer seeming wrong 
To pass unpunished. Far and near 
Vindictive tongue, and eager ear 
Conveyed, and drank the maddening tale ; 
And soon re-echoed all the vale 
With loud '' To arms ! " and soon a host 
Of dusky braves with threat and boast. 
And flags outflung defiantly. 
Swept down the valley toward the sea. 




CANTO VIII. 



IN QUIZQUO'S CAVE. 

" OIT close, my child, small breath for speech 

^ Hath Bacca — nay, methinks to teach 
Our tones the hush of voiceless fears 
Were wise — so many tongues and ears 
Hath Nature ! Would we were not come 
Upon this peril ! nought is dumb. 
Or blind, in all this haunt of hers ; 
The very leaves are whisperers ! 
One like a meaning, sensuous thing. 
Came floating down on high red wing 
Across my path ! I hurried past, 
But urged along by fitful blast 
It rustling chased me as I fled — 
The while a night-owl overhead 
Loud called to me ! 

'* The dead twigs beat 
Their sharp retort to hasty feet 
Which crushed them ! To the tell-tale breeze 
Low bowed and listened all the trees ; 
The very stars did on me stare ! 
The thorn-bush from his tangled lair 
64 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 65 

My mantle clutched — see how 't is rent ! 
And when I reached the steep descent 
By trailing vine, and scraggy root 
Made difficult, my careless foot 
Struck hard a century-sleeping stone 
Which woke, and leaped away, with tone 
Of sullen echoes, which did say : 
* A maiden came this w^ay, this way ! 
Ye who seek her, follow, follow. 
Follow,' till in accents hollow 
Died the voice. 

What if were heard 
By other ears the fateful word ? 
O child ! new tongues articulate 
With soul, all things inanimate 
Have taken on : we are betrayed ! 
What madness urged us to invade 
This dreadful place ? The gods will hide 
No longer Kaska's promised bride." 

" Good Bacca, thou art wearied — lean 

Upon me thus ; so would I screen 

Thy trembling form from every ill ; 

Thy temples burn, thy hand is chill. 

Thy soul w4th terror seems distraught. 

For two long moons, how hast thou wrought 

My weal, and with what cost to thee ! 

Thy patience, care, and constancy 

Amaze me ! all thy wanderings wild 

To bring me food." 

" Nay, nay, my child, 



66 ZULULU, 

Speak of it not." 

" That thou shouldst share 
This solitude, these perils dare, 
Doth grieve me, Bacca." 

" Grieve thee ? know 
For thee my child, I would forego 
All ease, all ill endure— yet what 
Avail if Quizquo succor not ? " 

*' Seems it so difficult to rest 
A little in the shadowed nest 
Of love unseen ? so hard to stand 
In silence, holding fast the hand 
Omnipotent ? shall doubt or fear 
Disquiet whom the gods hold dear ? 
Expression of divinest thought 
Is Nature. 

Wherefore question aught 
Of solemn wood, or quiet nook. 
Or vainful owl, or babbling brook, 
Or answering echoes ? On thy path 
Looked down the stars ? O not in wrath. 
Bright fluttering leaf, and nodding tree, 
And zephyr soft, on ministry 
Of mercy, all methinks were sent 
To whisper * peace.' " 

" O what hath lent 
Thy soul its fatal trust ? Yet fly ! 
Perchance to tarry is to die " — 

" Perchance to live^ but what is life ? 
A little breath in constant strife 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 6 J 

With fatal forces ? O methinks 
The soul is bound by golden links 
To life that feeds not in this air — 
A more of life and otherwhere ! 
How thought in this retreat hath grown, 
In converse with the gods ! unknown, 
Yet near, so near that I have caught 
Immortal breathings which have taught 
Old words new meanings. 

What is death ? 
Oft have I watched with bated breath 
When stilly night was at its noon, 
The burial of the beauteous moon — 
Yet hath she ever risen — no beam 
Of beauty lost ! 

Beside the stream 
That wanders through our pleasant vale 
I know a bank where violets pale 
In spring-time waken from a sleep 
Refreshful, though so long and deep ! 
And I have called it death — that strange 
Withdrawal, where they rest, and change 
Their faded hues for fairer. 

So 
Methinks to die — is but to go 
Apart a little, and lay by 
My dusty dress — for shall not I 
Be still Zululu ? still the same 
In thought and look, my very name 
Mine ever ? In my conscious breast 
Something asserts it. Not dull rest. 



68 ZULULU. 

But truer, freer life, that goes 
Straight through the shadow of repose 
Into the morn — " 

Unheralded 
The awful shock ! It burst o'erhead 
With fiery bolt, and thunderous stroke 
Which thrilled the cavern, and bespoke 
The mountain god ! Around, and o'er, 
Were jar, and deafening crash, and roar, 
With quivering walls on either side, 
And granite ceiling parting wide ! 

Upheaved the rocky floor and fell 

Uncertain o'er the deadly swell 

Of molten billows mad with fire, 

And quenchless as great Quizquo's ire. 

The dim small doorway to their hall 

Closed slowly into solid wall. 

And all was over ! 

O to beat 
The door close shut to hope's retreat ! 
To know the great bright world apart 
Whirls on, nor heeds the throbbing heart 
Entombed ! yet patience, gentle souls ! 
Yes, fold your puny hands, and pray ! 
God's blessed angel sometimes rolls 
The stone of sepulture away. 




CANTO IX. 

AFTER THE BATTLE. 

A WOKE the vale of lakes and rills, 
■'*• Of Iztapec the templed town, 
As o'er the shoulders of the hills 

Soft veiled, the morning sun looked down, 

On many a home where children played. 
And patient mothers toiled the while ; 

Where o'er her task, the black-eyed maid 
Recalled her brave with sigh and smile, 

Nor thought o'erlong the fibrous seams. 
As swift her cactus needle flew — 

For love was fashioning from dreams 
A robe of gossamer and blue. 

And white-haired men whose wars were o'er, 
Smoked on in silence and apart : " 

Or sitting by the cabin door 

They shaped and barbed the arrowy dart. 

From polished wood, shell, tooth, and bone, 
Rare implements and trinkets made,'^ 
60 



70 ZULULU, 

Or chiselled from the gray-green stone 
The huge head crusher, axe, and blade. 

And aged matrons chanted low 

To dusky babes upon their knees 
The god-like feats of Manabaho,*' 

The wild exploits of Papukewis," 

And strong-armed Kwasind," hearing which 
Youths grew ambitious, rushed to wars ; 

By deeds of daring sought a niche 
Beside the god who counted scars. 

And gave long fame. Thrice blessed he 

With life grown strong, and straight, and white 

Into its immortality 

Among the stars and crowned with light. 

Against a slope of faded green 

Stood up the temple facing bold 
The sun, whose burning eye had seen 

Her altars lit in cycles old. 

Trod to and fro the dark-browed priest 
In solemn service ; weird and tall 

His shadow, which the glowing east 
Flung back on the vermilion wall," 

Where sacred signs by time unspoiled, 
Were lithographed by hands at rest ; 

And where in awful beauty coiled 
The serpent with the feathered crest. 



THE MAID OF AN AH U AC. 7 1 

And countless, curious forms outgrown 
By mighty souls, long time embalmed ; 

Heroic shapes that lived in stone ; 
Brave barks eternally becalmed 

Hark ! what of rumor brings the breeze 
Fresh from the southland ? Old men rise, 

Rebuke their late enforced ease. 

Their deaf ears bend, and cast their eyes 

Adown the vale ; and women leave 

Their uncrushed maize, and shade their brows, 
And look, and listen, to retrieve 

Their fancies from the shimmering boughs. 

See ! nearer, clearer, lo, they come 

With chants of victory-:-Oxac's braves ! 

Loud welcomes greet the warriors home 
And taunt their many hapless slaves, 

Xibalban captives ! War's red hand 
Smote heavily, snatched Kaska's crown, 

Flung far his sceptre of command, 
And slew the tyrant — tearing down 

The standard of his pride and power ! 

Though terrible, yet brief the strife ; 
Alas for him whose final hour 

So reaps the follies of his life ! 

Now, O Xibalba — charmed land. 

Dig deep and hide thy lustrous head ! 



72 ZUL UL U, 

'Neath thickening mould, and drifting sand, 

And dark old forests make thy bed 

In silence : Yet be not so dead, 
But sleep ! sleep — clinging to thy past. 

And though the slow-paced ages make 
Long marches o'er thee, holding fast 

Thy buried fame, thou need'st not wake ! 
E'en though the eager Present cry 

" Awake ! " sleep on ! Old Time hath sealed 
Thy quietude. They do not die 
Whom God entombs ! the mystery 

Of silent life, lies unrevealed. 

Feasts, sacred festivals, and games " 

Attest the general joy ; red flames 

The altar fire : the hearth-stone glows 

O'er warriors stretched in soft repose 

Well earned : all hearts are jubilant 

Save one, whom neither victor's chant, 

Nor spoils can charm — the noble chief ! 

His heart is heavy with a grief 

That crowds out joy. The victors brought 

Proud trophies back — not whom they sought — 

Zululu ! 

O how small becomes 
A triumph, the encomiums 
That live on mortal breath, the power 
That grapples for one little hour 
With fate when all the lights are out, 
And gropes the hungry heart about 
Unsatisfied ! 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 73 

What cares he now 
That men before his greatness bow — 
That he is Oxac ? Hides away 
The v/retched chieftain, and the day 
Wears on with noisesome glee and din ; 
All tiresome sounds rush rudely in 
And torture him with cruel pain 
Till madness seizes on his brain ! 
He calls his child, and beats the air, 
And weeps, and shivers in despair. 

In vain his awed attendants try 

Full many a royal remedy, 

Rare gums and cordials, herbs and roots — 

All medicative mountain fruits 

Renowned for potency to heal 

Afflicted life. The priests appeal 

To temple gods. 

Distressed and prone, 
Their faces in the dust, bemoan 
The people their beloved chief ; 
They smite their loyal breasts for grief, 
And weeping wander to and fro. 

" Why wail the people ? What swift woe 
Doth chase the tears down warrior cheeks ?" 

A captive slave it is, who speaks — 
A poor Xibalban, won in war, 
A self-forgetful questioner. 



74 ZULULU. 

"Oxac, our mighty chief must die," 
Replies the guard with downcast eye ; 
" A fever boils his blood, his brain 
Is fired with fury — hope is vain ! " 

" O say not thus ! there is a weed 
In virtue great as is the need 
Of stricken Oxac. In my land 
'T is native, and wdth careful hand 
Oft gathered — e'en in yonder dell 
Perchance it grows ! I know it well — 
O bid me seek it ! " 

''Go!" out-spoke 
The guard, and quick his fetters broke ; 
" Go, haste thee ! bring the gracious weed ! 
Life, death, according to thy deed 
Thy recompense." 

Bowed low the slave 
And sped away. Ye gods, vouchsafe 
Him guidance ! on a trembling breath 
Hangs his eternity ! life, death ! 





CANTO X. 

THE FEVER WEED. 

A 17 HAT long and patient search he makes 

' ' By sedgy pools with border brakes 
In still recesses sleeping late 
Beyond the morning, nooks ornate 
With leafy spray, the hiding-place 
Of stranger blooms that in his face 
Do stare — sweet creatures bright and bold ! 
He heeds them not, they do not hold 
His destiny. 

How anxiously 
He treads his way ! no cliff so high 
He cannot climb, no dell so deep 
He may not dare, though serpents creep 
Among the dark vines poisonous — 
Perchance they guard his treasure thus — 
Ah, see ! the tiny plant he spies ! 
Success out-flashes from his eyes. 
And crushing 'neath his heel defeat, 
He plucks it — 't is a meek-eyed cheat ! 
By fields where late the zea maize stood, 
Up hill aslant, through tangled wood, 
75 



76 ZUL UL L\ 

So true, and purposeful, and strong, 
No path seems difficult or long. 

On, on, till strength and hope decline. 
And day has reached the boundary line 
Of twilight, and the fever weed 
Unfound ! Perhaps beyond its need 
Great Oxac now — then what remains ? 
With cruel mockery and chains 
The sterner fate to failure fixed — 
A bitter portion all unmixed 
With pity. 

For a moment stood 
The wavering slave, wide was the wood- 
Might he not flee ? why should he die — 
And life so dear ? In agony 
He prostrate fell. 

" O thou," he cried, 
" To whom this place is sacred, hide. 
Or smite me with thine awful rod. 
Nor prove thyself a vengeful god 
In whom a stranger cannot trust." 

" Quizquo is merciful and just." 

Amazed, he sprang upon his feet 

And listened ! How tempestuous beat 

His heart — he heard it — nothing more ! 

He peered about him ; all things bore 

A dumb behavior, and he felt 

The night draw round him like a belt, 



THE MAID OF ANAITUAC. yj 

Chill, tightening, holding fast his breath ! 
Had Oxac's spirit freed by death, 
Disrobed to walk the trackless air, 
Vindictive come to mock his prayer ? 
A sudden horror seized his soul ! 
His eyes instinctive sought the ghoul 
Where shadows walked among the trees 
Down shaken by the evening breeze ; 
Peered cautiously from side to side, 
But nought of spectral shape he spied. 

Then suddenly his soul grew strong- 
Remembering that no taint of wrong 
Imbued it, that no evil thought 
Concerning Oxac, was inwrought 
With service well, but vainly done, 
Though dark the doom his zeal had won. 
Again upon the leaf-strewn sod 
He bowed and prayed : 

" Great mountain God 
If aught thy pity may command. 
Know thou, a captive in strange land, 
In dire extremity doth plead 
Thine aid to find the fever weed 
For stricken Oxac— lest he die !— 
O speed his foot, and guide his eye, 
Thou great unknown— his only trust—" 

'' Our only trust ! Quizquo is just ! " — 
As if an echo did repeat 
Its pretty measure. 



78 ZULULU, 

To his feet 
Again he sprang, his prayer forgot, 
Dispatched his senses to the spot 
Whence seemed the sound, a symphony 
Of word and tone so faint, so nigh ! 
" Ye gods, forgive a mortal ear ! " 
He whispered, bending low to hear. 

" Quizquo is good ; yon pretty star 
That through this rifted roof I see, 

His love hath summoned from afar, 
To watch and shine for me, 
For long the night may be. 

'* Quizquo is great and good, beside 
What need a simple maiden know ? 

Contented in his care I bide 

Until he bids me go — 
Himself the way will show. 

" Quizquo is merciful ; he draws 
His curtain closer, lest the light 

Should blind mine eyes ; because 
Of my imperfect sight 
He gives me rest and night. 

" Quizquo is good, and great, and just ; 
Enough — what would Zululu more ? 

Here will she tarry in sweet trust 
Until the night is o'er, 
And love shall ope the door." 



THE MAID OF AN AH U AC. 79 

The plaintive measure seemed to die 
In waves of sweetness, like the sigh 
Of evening zephyr to the rose 
The while he rocks her to repose. 

His fate forgotten, terror flown, 
No longer helpless and alone, 
For, came to him that soulful power 
Which sometimes crowns, in darkest hour. 
Inspired with purpose seemed the slave ; 
A moment's earnest heed he gave, 
Then carefully explored the ground 
Whence late exhaled that dream of sound, 
That melody so strangely sweet — 
He sought, and at his very feet 
A narrow fissure found, which led. 
Out-stretching like a sombre thread. 
Far up the hill-side. TrembHngly 
He kneeled and spake : 

" Whate'er thou be— 
Earth-born or spirit — answer me." 

" A mortal answers : could she know 
Thou wert a friend, and not a foe ? " 

" A foe to none am I. Beguiled 
By Oxac's need into this wild — " 

" His need ! Oh, what is Oxac's need ? 

I am Zululu — Oxac's child ! 

Say on — my hungry ears have greed." 



8o ZUL UL U, 

" All day the gods have whispered ' speed 
Thou vexed spirit — speed away ! ' 
Disease hath touched him with decay, 
The fever on him feeds." 

*' Nay, nay ! 
He must not die ! '' Zululu cried, 
" Some remedy may yet be tried — " 

" For which my life is pledged ; alas 
I cannot find it ! " Leaves and grass 
Back brushing as he spoke, dowm peered 
The captive ; all was dark and weird. 

'' Zululu, why in this strange spot ? 
Forth — haste to Oxac ! tarry not ! 
Perhaps thy ministry may save 
His precious life ! " implored the slave. 

'* Then must he die. This cavern door 
Hath Quizquo shut ! Oh, never more, 
Perchance, shall poor Zululu see 
Her father's face ! " 

" It shall not be ! 
What though these granite doors are strong. 
The soul is stronger ! Powers malign 
Must yield I — My life, sweet maid, for thine ! " 

" Yet stay ; I hide away from one 
I dare not wed — King Kayi's son. 
Methinks 't were better here to bide — " 

" List ! Kaska ne'er will claim his bride." 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 8 1 

He clasped the lovely hand that through 
The crevice reached to him. 

'' Adieu, 
Zululu ! " but no answering word ; 
A sigh that told of tears he heard, 
A piteous sigh that sped his flight ; 
He dashed away into the night 
Down, down the mountain's rugged height, 
A pathless, treacherous way, but what 
Can hinder one who has forgot 
Fear, fate, himself ? or what control 
That strange delirium of the soul 
Broke loose from human impotence ? 
Poor cumbrous shape, and strictured sense, 
Plod on, your way is rough and new — 
The soul waits not to walk with you ! 

The lowland gained, his course he steered 

By evening star, until appeared 

The temple luminous, the pride 

Of Anahuac, the stranger's guide 

To Iztapec. Anon he neared 

The mighty walls by patience reared. 

By courage guarded ; but alas ! 

Within the city gates could pass 

Unchallenged none. 

Uncertain clung 
The answer to his stammering tongue ; 
The rough guard marked it, and not less 
His unaccustomed air and dress. 
Suspicion said " A foe thou art ! " 

6 



82 ZULULU, 

And swift and straight the hurtling dart 
Was sped and buried in his breast ; 
He fell — no cry his pain expressed, 
Yet low he murmured : 

'' Thus to die 
With sealed lips ; ye gods deny 
Life, liberty to me, all bliss, 
Whate'er ye will, but grant me this^ 
A heaven for her, a swift release 
To fair Zululu ! courage ! peace 
Poor heart ! perchance some kindly ear 
May catch thy cry." 

'T was heard, drew near 
The guards and gave gruff audience. 

" For Oxac's sake — O bear me thence 
Within the city ! Staunch this flow ! 
A little breath — the chief shall know 
Where hides his child — ah me — too — late ! " 

Strong hands push back the ponderous gate 
And bear his bleeding form within, 
And crowding round him seek to win 
His spirit back. With fibrous twines 
Tie up his wounds, nutritious wines 
Bestow, and gentle food. 

Attent 
They wait the slow arbitrament 
Of life with death, till as from sleep 
He rouses. 

'' Do the people weep ? 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 83 

Oxac — lives he ? I pray you say 
He lives ! " 

" He lives." 

" Then haste away — 
O haste and bring his child — 't is she — 
Her very lips did answer me 
From darksome cave in yonder wild, 
* I am Zululu, Oxac's child ! ' — 
Can nought your sluggish natures stir ? 
Ye cowards ! Will none rescue her ? 
Then I — stand back — nay, let me go I " 

He sought to rise, — as if a blow 

Had smitten him, he swooned, and fell 

Into a long dim interval 

Of silence, and he would not wake, 

Nor heed their questions, nor unmake 

The wonderment his broken speech 

Had wrought, but held beyond their reach, 

A key which might unlock the day 

To Oxac, who benighted lay 

In heavy slumbers, moaning low 

Of lost Zululu — for his woe 

Slept not, and his attendants deemed 

His grief but greater when he dreamed. 





CANTO XI. 

THE SEARCH. 

T ONG hours unconscious lay the slave ; 
^ Save that he breathed no sign he gave 
Of life, but looked as one long dead. 
He heeded not the guard who said : 

" Base treachery is here ! this slave 
But sought his worthless life to save 
By falsehood ; gave his word to bring 
A fever-weed, some useless thing 
His people prize, the which should cure 
Our stricken chief ! the forfeiture 
Was death — which he accepted. See I 
He brings no royal remedy, 
But com.es with mutterings false and wild 
Of forest, cavern, Oxac's child ! 
Perchance he prates of Quizquo's cave 
To lure us thither— cursed knave ! 
Gods ! I would smite him, but to save 
His life for sorer punishment." 

Some answered " So " ; and some low bent 
And looking in his face nought said ; 

84 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 85 

Some stood apart and shook the head, 
While some strode wrathfully around, 
And others gazed upon the ground. 

At length a youthful brave stepped forth ; 
The cold, dread courage of the north 
Was his, and hot young blood. 

"A slave 
Has called us cowards ! and we save 
Our answer till his emptied veins 
Refill, that he may reap the gains 
Of treachery. Why doom him thus ? 
Those whom the gods count valorous 
Are just ; and justice bids us heed 
His broken story, and with speed 
Yon forest search, and with such care 
The maiden shall be found — if there. 
Though idle words were those that fell 
From craven lips, yet do we well, 
O brother braves ? To her retreat 
The gods direct our willing feet ! " 
The words of Atzol. 

Answered none 
By yea, or nay, but one by one, 
A deedful few their places took 
Beside the youth. 

The babbling brook 
Sings not its source through summer's drought. 
Mute force is mighty, working out, 
The grand designs of nature. Power 
Is deed, when duty strikes the hour. 



S6 ZUL UL L\ 

They formed, a hardy zealous band ; 
Each warrior held a flaming brand, 
And each his ready weapon bore, 
And all were silent. 

Round and o'er 
The night was thick, and hushed, and late, 
But every heart was desperate 
With purpose, and each black eye burned 
With energy which dared or spurned 
The hinderments of circumstance. 
What eager ear ! what sidelong glance ! 

Stout natures sometimes reap disgrace 
From trifles ; very pigmies chase 
The man in armor who o'erthrows 
In awful needs gigantic foes ! 

A nameless terror chilled each brave 

As wound their way toward Quizquo's cave, 

For footprints from the dingle deep 

Led on and up the wooded steep 

To thickest shade. 

Now, near the ground 
Their torches flare and circle round 
The astonished trees, to which the light 
Long hours before had said " Good-night." 
A broken twig, a new bent blade, 
A leaf's displacement in the shade, 
A low crushed lichen quivering yet, 
Because some foot had late been set 
Upon it, said " This way he went." 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 87 

They understood, pressed on, content 
With roughest toil could they but trace 
His wanderings to the hiding-place 
Of lost Zululu. 

All confessed 
As leader in the doubtful quest 
Young Atzol, whose harangue had won 
Their dumb approval ; counselled none 
This course or that, but as he led 
They followed. 

With observant tread 
He sometimes moved, and sometimes stood 
Erect and questioned close the wood 
With sense acute, or in his might 
Advanced, far flashing left and right 
His fiery brand. 

" Ha ! What strange thing 
Here flutters like a red-bird's wing 
Among these brambles fell and bold ? " 
He said, and plucked it from the hold 
Of thorny fingers. 'T was a shred 
Of some gay-colored stuff. A thread 
Of fringe clung to it, and betrayed 
The part. 

" Methink's Zululu's maid 
Had mantle bordered thus ! " one cried. 
Another viewed it and replied : 
'' Of Bacca's mantle 't is a part ! " 

Thereat spake Atzol : " Be each heart 
By this assured ; about this place 



ZUL UL U, 

Be every nook and dream of space 
Severely searched." All gave assent 
And forth by paths divergent went. 

Like those who listen, awed and prone 
To catch the earthquake's undertone, 
So Atzol bowed him to the ground, 
With ear expectant set. Profound 
The silence, till at length up-crept 
A quavering breath. He started ; swept 
The drifted leaves with blaze of light. 
When, lo ! discovered to his sight 
A fissure, sinuous and dark ! 
With curious eye he stooped to mark 
Its meaning, when a sobbing sound 
Arose as from the rifted ground. 

"Whom holds this dungeon ? " loud he cried, 

" Zululu," one low-voiced replied, 
*' And good old Bacca ; — other seems 
The tone — not that which all my dreams 
And prayers have thrilled since yester eve — 
Would 't were the same ! " 

That she did weave 
Strange words into her answer, what 
To those who understood them not, 
AVhose earnest souls were only stirred 
For her release ? 

Prompt was the word. 
And brave the deed, as stroke on stroke 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 89 

Their huge stone hammers beat and broke 
Through walls of earth and granite gray, 
The cavern opening to the day — 
To those entombed the world without. 
When gentle feet stepped forth, a shout 
Proclaimed through all the dark profound, 
"Zululu ! Oxac's child, is found ! " 

Bright streamed the autumn sunshine down ; 

Late morning lay upon the town. 

Ere Atzol's gallant equipage 

Swept through the gates — its final stage 

With triumph rounded. Warriors strong 

Wrought glad delirium in the throng 

By acclamation long and wild 

In honor of their chieftain's child. 

All nature seemed to catch the thrill 

Of joyance, vale and vocal hill 

Awoke and echoed long applause ; 

The birds sang new sweet tunes, because 

Of fair Zululu — homeward borne ! 

And when with sweet face sorrow worn, 

Down from the birchen chair she stepped, 

Full many a gray-haired matron wept 

For very joy that she was found, 

While happy children strewed the ground 

With flowers. 

Poor child ! she could not heed 
Or cheers, or tears, or loving deed 
Of artless childhood. Swift she flew 
To Oxac's chamber — but he knew 



90 ZULULU. 

Her not, nor answered when she spake, 
Beseeching him with tears to wake. 

Long time beside his couch she stands, 
His burning brow with tender hands 
Soft soothing ; but while yet she waits 
And weeps and prays, the fever bates, 
And Oxac wakens ; lo ! 't is she — 
Zululu — mute with misery 
And love's solicitude ! 

Her eyes 
To all his doubts give glad replies — 
Enough ! He clasps her to his breast 
And holds her close, then fearful lest 
His senses cheat him, bids her speak ; 
He strokes her hair, and feels her cheek. 
Her soft hand presses, calls her name 
O'er and again, while hint of blame 
Intones his accent, as if still 
Her presence answers not his will. 

At length o'erwrought he sleeps, to wake 
Refreshed. To other hearts that ache. 
Bring sweet repose, O blessed sleep ! 
And gently close the eyes that weep. 





CANTO XII. 

THE TRIAL. 

OO Oxac of his malady 

^ Was healed, and on an early day 

He rose and thanked the gods, and bore 

To temple altars princely store 

Of sacrificial fruits, and there 

Devoutly worshipped. 

High in air. 
Soft overlapping fold on fold. 
Thick clouds of odorate incense rolled 
Like prayers of white-robed souls that fling 
Sweet benedictions from the wing 
Spread heavenward, marking as they rise 
The spirit's highway to the skies. 

As if to some great festival 
The people gathered, proving well 
Their loyalty and gratitude — 
Was not great Oxac's life renewed, 
Zululu found ? 

No woe to check 
Her happiness had Iztapec, 
91 



J 



92 ZUL UL U, 

And all the land had joy again ; 

Staid matrons, lion-hearted men, 

Youths, maidens, children, — all were glad. 

In garb fantastic some were clad, 

Invoking mirth by dance and game ; 

While ever and anon the name 

Of Oxac woke the loyal cheer 

So grateful to a ruler's ear. 

And ever and anon, uprose 

A shout which over vanquished foes 

Inhered to old Nahuan braves. 

Far heights responsive flung the waves 

Of tumult back, and with the shout 

The name of Kaska, wreathed about 

With scorn ; till when, Zululu nought 

Had known of deadliest battle fought — 

And Kaska slain ! But there she stood, 

A fair strong type of maidenhood 

How tempest shaken ! 

To the chief 
She trembling clung. Somewhat of grief 
To pity softened made her weep — 
Resolving Kaska's name to keep. 
Enshrined by memory with pure 
And sacred things, from scorn secure. 
E'en as she wept, to Oxac pressed 
A warrior with the foul request : 

" Great chief, this proud occasion cries 
Aloud for fitting sacrifice. 
Unnumbered southern slaves await 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 03 

Long servitude or swifter fate 
On smoking altars. One by one, 
Dost bid us offer to the Sun 
Their proud warm hearts ? " 

" O never yet 
Our sacred altars have been wet 
With human blood," Oxac replied. 
'' Enough that fair Xibalba's pride 
Is humbled for a crime not hers ! 
Enough, her sons are servitors 
To strangers." 

Bowing low his head, 
" Oxac hath spoken," Murzi ^^ said, 
As if his spirit were subdued, 
Yet still in abject attitude 
Remained till Oxac bade him speak, 

" Most gracious chief. I do but seek 
The just enforcement of just laws 
For crimes committed. This my cause ; 
Among the captives there is one 
Who dared — what never can be done — 
To blind old Murzi ! Treachery 
Demands sore punishment ; with me 
He broke his faith. For Oxac's need 
He pledged to bring a fever weed, 
Some sure specific known to bate 
The fever fire, but, lingering late, 
Brought only fabrications wild. 
And tangled stories of thy child — 
Full tender pratings for a slave ! " 



94 ZULULU, 

*' Then shall he die ! but bring the knave. 
Unjudged shall pass no weakling's cause, 
If guilty, stern and just our laws." 

Soon came old Murzi ; petty power, 

Which crowns the craven for an hour 

Of tyranny, had stamped the sign 

Of cruelty on every line 

And feature of his swarthy face ; 

A human fiend, without one grace 

Of human sympathy was he ; 

A hateful, blackened mystery 

Of life which should be white ! So sin 

Consuming all the good within, 

Disfigures all without. 

Fell back 
The clamorous crowd — a narrow track 
The guards held open to the court 
Toward which the hapless slave, the sport 
And curse of all, was rudely pressed. 
Whom thus the angry chief addressed. 

*' Ha ! art thou he whose word is nought, 
Who pledged to bring, but never brought, 
The fever weed ? Who dared to teach 
Thy captive tongue to frame in speech 
My daughter's name—///// tenderly ? 
Accursed slave ! speak ! Art thou he 1 " 

With wrath was Oxac's eye aflame. 
The slave drew up his well-built frame 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 95 

To fullest stature, from the ground 

His clear eyes raised. His arms were bound, 

His feet were bare, a ghastly wound 

Was in his breast, his garment rent 

And stained with blood. On him were bent 

Unnumbered hateful eyes, which fed 

Upon his anguish. 

Battle bred, 
His savage heart to pity steeled, 
Or in the court, or on the field 
Nahuan power was terrible ! 

" Great chief, thou bidd'st me answer. Nay, 

I am not he ! doth Murzi say 

One broke his faith ? I am not he. 

A captive's tongue touched wantonly 

Thy daughter's name ? I am not he ! — 

My soul stands forth defiantly 

To meet the charge ! Yet wherefore tell 

My story ? Murzi knows full well 

He wrongs me, and the gods know all ! " 

A low, mad murmuring filled the hall, 
Which spread, and quickening louder swelled. 
A frown from Oxac promptly quelled 
The outbreak. 

" Take this captive hence 
To deepest dungeon, recompense 
Awaits him ! " 

At the word, 't was done ; 
The glad day waned, low flamed the sun 



96 ZULULU. 

And passed away with fair adieu. 
The people from their mirth withdrew 
To humble homes and rugged rest ; 
Within the palace proud forms pressed 
Voluptuous couches. Thick and wide 
Night's ebon curtain fell. 

Untried 
No soul is strong — no life all white 
Unwashed by dews of sorrow's night. 
No love, whate'er its boast, is true, 
That cannot walk the furnace through — 
Some seven-fold trial without loss. 
The purest faith wreathes fair the cross, 
And holds it dearer than the crown. 
The bliss unblighted by earth's frown 
Is born of sacrifice. 





CANTO XIII. 
SOME CAUSES WILL BE HEARD AGAIN. 
,AMP, lone 



D 



The dungeon, where on bed of stone 
The captive crouched ; yet by and by 
He slept and dreamed. An azure sky 
Was o'er him, there were flowers and trees, 
And murmurings of summer seas, 
And spicy breezes, and bright birds 
Whose songs were miracles — sweet words 
Which through his charmed senses stole 
Into the chambers of the soul, 
And thrilled him with such strange delight 
He wakened — lo, his room was bright ! 
A lovely form was o'er him bent 
And one was whispering. 

" Punishment 
For deed like thine — O brave true heart ! 
For though I know not whence thou art 
Nor whom, yet thou didst save me, thou ! " 
She laid her soft hand on his brow 
And gazed into his eyes — her own 
Were full of tears, her gentle tone 
97 



g8 ZUL UL L\ 

Was tremulous, her unbound hair 
Lay on his breast. 

" O vision fair ! 
O blessed eyes that on me beam ! 
O matchless, sweet, bewildering dream — 
How dost thou mock me ! " 

" Nay, not so ; 
No dream is this to mock thy woe — 
Only Zululu, whose distress 
Companions all thy wretchedness." 

" Zululu — and she pities me ? " 

"Would hand of mine might set thee free ! 

Yet much I fear thy hapless fate ; 

My father knows not to abate 

His ire, and Murzi maddened him. 

Too well I read it in his dim 

But angry eyes. Alas when wrong 

Confuses judgment, and the strong 

To cravens yield ! Of what avail 

Is mercy's plea, or sorrow's wail, 

In such an hour ? Oh, then, how weak 

Is woman, though her heart doth speak ! 

Power hath a voice for heavy ears, 

That drowns the eloquence of tears. 

And yet the gods judge not as men — 

Some causes will be heard again. 

And rulings of these lower courts 

Be set aside. Heaven's law comports 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 99 

With truth, while at the bar above, 
The mightiest advocate is love." 
The captive smiled. " Thy loving thought 
Hath surely for my spirit wrought 
Release ; in solitude or death. 
My wasted cheek will feel thy breath, 
Thy tender words will charm my ear, 
The radiance of thy beauty clear 
My clouded sky ! I cannot know 
Henceforth the quality of woe. 
Whate'er my fate, remembering thee 
Zululu, 't will be heaven to me ! " 

" Perhaps to-morrow thou must die ! — 
If so, T know in yonder sky 
Thou crowned shalt be." 

" There free from blame 
Might I but breathe Zululu's name — " 

" How would she list and make reply ? " 

" Gods 't were a blissful thing to die ! " 

*' Thy life — for this shall be my prayer." 

She softly stroked his raven hair. 

And o'er his wounded bosom spread 

His tattered robe ; then plucked a thread 

From out its border ; next her heart 

She hid it, as some magic art 

It held ; the while the poor slave lay 

So wafted from his woe away 



lOO ZULULU, 

His tongue forgot all forms of speech. 
He seemed to stand on some bright beach 
Where sails are set for paradise ! 
A moment's bliss — but gone ! his eyes 
Flashed sudden pain. 

" Nay, to despair 
O leave me, dearest ! thou dost dare 
Great peril, coming thus alone 
To this vile place ! " 

" Aye, if 't is known 
Alone thou diest not ! but well 
Is bribed the kind old sentinel, 
My foot is heedful, heavily 
The city sleeps ; fear not — for me 
The gods will care. 

The hour grows late — 
Yet know, brave heart, though thou should'st die 
Death never bars the morning gate 
To holiest love ; and by and by 
*T will ope for me. But now adieu." 
A signal — back the huge door drew 
And closed again, and she was gone. 

A long thick night, a slow gray dawn, 
Then came the day ; with rosy hand 
She scattered sunshine o'er the land. 
And sipped her dew with smiles so bright, 
The beverage sparkled into light. 

Refreshment feigning from repose, 
Zululu with the morning rose 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. IC 

And donned her court apparel flecked 
With brilliancies, her round arms decked 
With bands impearled, her pretty feet 
Dressed daintily, adorned with sweet 
Autumnal blooms her tressy hair. 
And o'er her shoulders flung a rare 
Embroidered mantle seldom worn, 
By regal elegance forsworn 
Familiar uses. 

*' Bacca, nay ! 
Know only this, that I to-day, 
By all the arts love can devise. 
Would be most pleasing in his eyes — 
And yet, I may not please him ! so, 
My girdle tie — now let me go, 
Lest soon my trembling limbs refuse 
To bear me hence. No childish dews 
Must blind mine eyes — my tongue must speak 
Articulate — upon my cheek 
Must flash no feeling ! I must still 
This fluttering heart — I can — I will ! 

" Great peril ? I would undertake 

All peril — all things for thy sake 

Brave heart ! poor slave ! — ah ! said I — what ? 

I pray you, Bacca, heed it not. 

My soul is vexed with troublous things, 

And idle thoughts take ready wings." 




CANTO XIV. 



A PLEA FOR LIFE. 



/^XAC was early in the court, 

^-^ And there she sought him. To comport 

With reverent customs she must bide 

His leisure. 

At the chieftain's side 
A dozen veteran warriors stood, 
And one seemed speaking ; audience good 
Gave Oxac, for he did not hear 
Zululu's footstep ; half in fear 
She softly stole into the shade 
A massive pillar cast, and laid 
A hush on clamorous distress. 
She could not hope to gain access 
To Oxac's side without delay, 
Nor unobserved, to steal away. 
'* Alas 't is Murzi — all is lost ! " 
She murmured, as a dark form crossed 
The outer court ; his grave advance 
She marked with pallid countenance, 
But sought to hush her heart — to hear 
Or hopeful word, or doom austere, 

102 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. 103 

For one in thrall ! Though Oxac spake 
The words her heart would glad or break 
No meaning bore they to her ear. 

*'0 gods," she breathed, "by this dear sign 
Lead on." 

And from its bosomed shrine 
She drew, and to her pale lips pressed 
The crimson relic. On her breast 
Low drooped her head like one in prayer 
When hope is challenged by despair. 
Thus shadowed by the column old, 
Herself as motionless and cold. 
She stood some anguished minutes ; when 
Her absent soul came back again. 
How silent was the council hall ! 
Murzi was gone, the chieftain, all — 
But whither ? 

With a startled cry 
Like children when the lamps go out 
And all is night in earth and sky — 
With none to kiss away the doubt, 
To hold the hand, and banish fear, 
With " child, eternal Love is here " — 
Zululu, frenzied with affright. 
Upstarted ! peering left and right — 
Along the corridor she flew. 
Here, there, upon the courtier's view 
Like sudden sunshine burscing through 
A hurrying cloud of summer time, 
Her footfalls waking sweetest chime. 



[04 ZULULU, 

Until the chieftain she espied ; 
He saw, and called her to his side ; 
Her presence was a glad surprise, 
She read it in his love-lit eyes. 
She smiled, and to her pretty cheek 
The dimples came ; in silence meek 
She stood till Oxac first should speak, 
Their custom such, and then with words 
As musical as woodland birds 
She filled his ears, repeating oft 
Endearing phrase in accent soft. 
Brief pauses, artless pleasantries 
And happy answers, framed to please, 
Instarred some moments of delay. 
At lensjth, but with her eyes away. 
As if her heart were other where, 
Though all her soul was full of prayer : 

*' My father — priceless boon I crave " — 

" Say on, my child." 

" His life ! the slave " 

" The slave ! what slave indeed can claim 
Zululu's care ? well may hot shame 
Burn thus thy cheek ! what slave ? reply ! 
For by my word the wretch shall die." 

" Alas ! I only know 't is he 
Whom cruel Murzi wrongs, the same 
Whom Quizquo sent to succor me : 
O nought of treachery or blame 



THE MAID OF ANAIIUAC. I05 

Doth Stain his soul ! 't is he whose feet 
Drew near the door of my retreat, 
Else had I perished. If his fate 
Be unpronounced — if not too late — 
O Father — say he shall not die ! " 

"Too late." 

She caught the stern reply 
And fell as if his clenched hand 
Had struck her down. His cold command 
Thrice given she heeded not, though heard — 
" Zululu, rise ! " 

Tone, look, and word. 
The triple shaft sent not amiss. 
Had struck with strange paralysis 
Her warm young life. 

Transfixed, amazed, 
Old Oxac on his daughter gazed. 
Cold, tearless, motionless ; all hushed 
Her passion plea ! a blossom crushed 
By icy hand were not more dead 
To warmth and light, its sweet soul fled — 
And yet not dead was she ; for long 
The heart will throb, the pulse beat strong 
When all that makes life glad and warm 
Is frozen in some awful storm. 

Till now, her every thought and sense 
Had yielded prompt obedience, 
Nor ever deemed his dictate ill, 
Nor dared the deadline of his will. 



I06 ZULULU, 

" Too late ! ' 

She lies with breast unstirred 
By hope or fear, while Oxac's word 
On dumb rebellion falls and dies 
Unnoticed. Anger, scorn, surprise, 
Compassion, love his great soul seize 
And swift through all their fixed degrees 
Lead down to tenderness. 

'' My child ! 
What evil influence hath beguiled 
Thy peace and wrought this hour of ill ? 
Speak, daughter ! why so cold and still ? 
Zululu ! " 

But her eye is set 
On nothingness, a dead regret 
That wakes no sigh. 

" Alas, some spell 
Demoniac and terrible 
Hath won her ! " 

Filled with strange alarms 
The father lifted in his arms 
His stricken child and fled with haste 
Forth, toward the temple. Eager-faced 
The people followed. 

'' Or in grief 
Or wrath goes forth our mighty chief ? " 
They questioned, though all tongues were mute. 
Proud forms in homage absolute 
Were bowed, he heeded none, nor aught, 
Until his ear confusion caught. 
Made dreadful with the shout of doom. 



THE MAID OF AN AH U AC. lO/ 

As soldiers, from his dungeon gloom 
Led forth the captive slave to die. 

Upon the savage pageantry 

The victim gazed. From some far height 

His eye had caught a steadfast light, 

His breast the calm of courage born ; 

His proud lips wore a noble scorn 

Of deeds ignoble. Threat and thrall, 

The enginery of torture, all — 

He scorned them, aye and death ; so strong 

Becomes the soul inured to wrong 

And fired by love, that from its track 

Pain flees, and life itself stands back. 

Much marvelling that he trembled not, 
They led him to the fatal spot, 
A broad low mound of ashen earth 
Where not a blade of green had birth, 
And bound him to a beam of oak, — 
A ponderous beam by flame and smoke 
Oft charred and blackened, it bespoke 
The lengthened torture to be wrought ! 




CANTO XV. 

FULFILMENT. 

P RE yet the lighted brand was brought 
^ A silence signal, Murzi gave, 
And stepping forth addressed the slave 

" Seek not, O guilty wretch, to die 
As die the brave, nor dare defy 
The god of justice ; ere too late, 
Confess thy crimes commensurate 
With stern award." 

The captive turned — 
His breath came quick, his clear eye burned 
With passion's fire. 

" Contemptuous knave ! 
Thy words become thee, noble brave ! 
The gods thy virtues mark ! — confess ? 
Aye, if to soothe Oxac's distress, 
My service wearisome and long 
Though fruitless — be a grievous wrong ; 
And if it be a crime more base 
To find, unsought, the hiding-place 
Of lost Zululu— " 

io8 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. IO9 

'' List ! that tone ! 
In Quizquo's cavern dark and lone 
It spoke me life — it is the same ! 
Methinks one called Zululu's name," 
The maiden murmured, but the slave 
Heard not her words. 

*' Yet know, old brave, 
Zululu loves me ! by and by, 
My fetters broken, I shall fly 
Beyond the shadows, and await 
Her coming at the morning gate — 
Mine own Zululu ! " 

"Aye, 'tis he ! 
Dear heart — Zululu dies with thee ! " 
She cried, and sprang from Oxac's hold 
Like some bright spirit uncontrolled, 
And instant to the captive flew, 
Her jewelled arms around him threw, 
Her soft cheek to his bosom pressed ; 

" Thus, Murzi, is my love confessed ! 

My strength and purpose here are shown — 

For know, he shall not die alone ! " 

In faces stern, and scarred, and old, 
Her young eyes flashed defiance bold. 
The guard astonished, quailed as those 
Who smite in dream.s immortal foes. 
From whom their puny blows rebound 
Without an echo. 



no ZULULU, 

O'er and 'round, 
A miracle of silence fell — 
A moment awful with the spell 
Of indecision. 

Then was heard 
An unimpassioned, low-voiced word 
From Oxac — and one sped and brought 
A gorgeous mantle richly wrought, 
And laid it in the chieftain's hand. 
Who with a gesture of command 
Approached and spake : 

'' Since to defy 
The royal edict, is to die — 
Accept thy doom, O hapless child ! 
This wretch ignoble, and defiled 
By crime — if thou with him wilt die — 
Shall wear a robe of royalty, 
This glittering robe-befitting thine, 
Lost daughter of a noble line ! 
Then — thou hast said it — by his side, 
Zululu, shall thy love be tried ! " 

At Oxac's word, away they tore 
His garment, shred, and stained with gore, 
All heedless of the quivering flesh. 
And ghastly wound from which afresh 
By rough hands prompted, trickled down 
Bright drops upon his bosom brown — 
When lo ! a gorget ^' one espied 
And plucked it. Oxac, eager-eyed. 
Observed it carefully, and then 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. Ill 

With searching eyes the slave — again 
The coin examined ! O'er and o'er 
Close scanned the curious seal it bore — 
The legend sought to read in vain, 
So dizzy grew old Oxac's brain ! 
Then to the slave : 

" Speak ! by whose hand 
Was this bestowed ? " 

" At thy command 
I answer, else my lips were sealed, 
My name and lineage unrevealed. 
My father, good King Kayi, placed 
That sign upon my breast ; disgraced, 
Condemned, yet am I Kayi's son, 
Oribo." 

" Gods ! what day ill-starred 
Is this ? What dreadful deeds are done 
To be repented ! " 

Oxac cried ; 
And thrusting back the quaking guard 
Sprang quickly to the victim's side — 
Caught cruel Murzi's gleaming blade 
And smote his fetters, and unmade 
The captive. 

'T was a gracious deed 
To fling the nuptial robe decreed 
For Kaska, o'er the astonished youth. 
**Ingemmed v\'ith innocence and truth, 
And priceless love — 't is thine, O son 
Of Kayi ! and this treasure won 
From Oxac — thine — with all her charms ! " 



12 ZULULU, 

He said, and to Oribo's arms 
Released for rapturous embrace, 
The maiden turned, her soulful face 
Aglow with love — how pure, divine, 
Oribo understood ; no word 
Save but " Zululu ! " '' Ever thine ! " 
The happy listening angels heard. 

Thence Oxac to the palace led 

The blissful pair, his good gray head 

Uplifted into sunshine, where, 

So clear the light, so pure the air, 

No cloud his soul and sky between, 

He felt the hand of Love unseen 

Upon his brow, that bent to hear 

Soft echoes which his outer ear 

Had never caught. With wondering eyes 

Again those dark old prophecies 

He read — dream, sybil, bird — all held — 

Though strangely, slowly syllabled 

By years, a gracious meaning ; bright 

It burst upon his raptured sight. 

Bliss, brooded by a sombre wing ! 

Within the captive was the king ! 

And when anon, with proud acclaim. 
Refreshed and rich apparelled came 
Oribo from the royal bath. 
The sun-god's smile illumed the path 
Which brought him to the nuptial feast 
To claim his bride. There sacred priest 



THE MAID OF ANAHUAC. I 13 

With unctuous rite and solemn lore, 
Sealed him the chieftain's son ! Aye more, 
His blessing, heritage of power 
Gave Oxac as his daughter's dower. 

Some seasons more, a peaceful few, 
And Oxac quietly withdrew 
Into his summer house of rest, 

From whence his mighty soul uprose, 
Recalled to regions of the blessed, 

Beyond the bound of earthly woes. 
To share the chariot of the sun — 
The grand award his life had won. 

The oracle was verified. 

As slave, Oribo won his bride — 

As king he led her to a throne 

His queen, where long her beauty shone 

Resplendent, and her gentle name 

To peerless virtues linked, became 

The honored theme of olden song. 

Good King Oribo well and long 

Ruled Anahuac. But soft, speak low ! 

Loud praise is not for those who rest 
From work well done ! Enough to know 

In stillest chamber sleep is best ! 
And theirs — ah, well, so long ago 
The gods received them, nought can break 
Their slumber till His v/ord " Awake " 
Bespeaks the morning. 

What to them 



114 ZULULU. 

The sceptre and the diadem, 

The rise and fall of empires ? what 

The countless loves of countless years 

Since they through sorrows, hopes, and fears 

Made blissful harbor ? 

What avails 
To watch the waves, or count the sails, 
Or list the surging of the sea 
That beats eternal shores ? 

Each bark 
Shall drift into a quiet lee, 
And calmly anchor in the dark. 

Although in some brief hour, and bright, 

A distant sail we dimly sight 

And speak it — and it gives no heed — 

What matter ? anchorage is sure ! 
And though we strain our eyes to read 

The thought of time-dimmed tablature, 
Or ancient record, or would trace 
The footprints of a vanished race 
Where shadows lie Vv'hich will not lift, 
We know through deepest mould and drift, 
Time holdeth these, and more, in trust. 
Much all immortal lives in dust. 




NOTES. 



1 A-na-wak', meaning " near the water." 

2 Anahuac is an extensive plateau situated in the centre of 
Mexico, at an average height of 7,000 feet above the level 
of the sea — raised by volcanic force between the two oceans. 
— Lippincoifs Pronouncuig Gazetteer of the World. 

3 Ox'-ac. 

4 The Mexicans punished with severity all the crimes which 
are particularly repugnant to nature, or prejudicial to the state. 

5 Wherever nature, in the perpetual struggle of matter to 
restore an equilibrium, assumes power there they (primitive 
peoples) are sure to locate a god. 

6 Popocatepetl, pronounced Po-po-ka-ta-petl', meaning 
•' smoking mountain." 

7 The peaceful and semi-civilized Toltecan-man was once 
the proud master of our continent, which he busily dotted with 
forts and mounds, with mighty monuments and great cities.— 
Schoolcraft's Aborigmal Races. 

8 Iztapec, pronounced Ez'-ta-pak. 

g Pictography was employed not only to beautify the inner 
walls of temples and palaces, but also to record historical 
events and religious rites. 

115 



Il6 NOTES. 

10 Zululu, pronounced Zoo-loo-loo. 

1 1 In old paintings a female figure is represented with hair 
flowing in long tresses and adorned with jewels. The Toltecas 
were fond of wearing dresses of showy colors, and excelled in 
the fabrications of cloth and hangings. — Kingsborough. 

12 Cholula, pronounced Cho-loo'-la. 

13 Nahuas, pronounced Na-hoo'-as. 

14 Quetzalcoatle, " Feathered Serpent." Date of his first 
appearance a little before the middle of the ist century. 

15 Quetzalcoatle, pronounced Ket-zal-cow-attle. 

16 Hue-Hue-Tlaplan, pronounced Hoo-a' Hoo-a' Tlap'-lan. 

17 Tamoanchan, pronounced Tam-o-an-shan'. 

18 Tulla pronounced Yool'-ya. 

19 Kayi, pronounced Ka'-ye. 

20 Xibalba, pronounced He-bal-ba. 

21 Zinco, pronounced Zeen'-co. 

22 The Mexicans taught their children, together with the 
arts, religion, modesty, honesty, sobriety, labor, love of truth 
and respect to superiors. 

23 Bacca, pronounced Biic-ca. 

24 Kaska, pronounced Kaz-ka, 

25 Votan, pronounced Vo'-tan, founder of the Maya culture. 
One of the great works of this hero was the excavation of a 
tunnel, "Snake-hole," from Zuqui to Tzequil. 

26 Usumasintas, pronounced Oo-soo-ma-seen-tas. 

27 Nachan, pronounced Na-shan, city of serpents. 

28 Maya, pronounced Ma-ya. 

29 Kayi, pronounced Ka'-ye. 

30 Chan, pronounced Shan, serpent. 

31 Katun, pronounced Ka-toon, cycle of fifty-two years. 



NO TES. 1 1 7 

The Katun year consisted of twenty-eight weeks of thirteen 
days each, and one additional day. 

32 Tetan, pronounced Ya-tan'. 

33 Oribo pronounced 0-ree-bo. 

34 The rabbit was considered as a type of innocence. 

35 The murder of Chaac Mai, a powerful sovereign of 
Chicken-Itza, by his brother Aac, is still told in stone. The 
funeral chamber, the mural paintings, the statues, and the 
monument of the murdered king, are found by the explorer. 
In the funeral chamber the terrible altercation between Aac 
and Chaac Mai is represented by large figures three fourths 
life-size. — Dr. Le Plongeon. 

36 A tablet from the ruins at Palenque represents a beautiful 
youth arrayed in an elaborate military dress and plumed crest 
of magnificent character. He wears w^hat appears to be a 
cuirass about his shoulders and chest. 

37 Among the ruins at Palenqua are those of a palace 228 
feet by 182, and about 30 feet in height. In the outer wall 
are forty doorways. The double cornices are highly artistic. 
This palace had double corridors. It is presumed that nearly 
all of the piers separating the doorways in the eastern wall of 
the palace were ornamented with stucco bas-reliefs. On the 
wall of its inner apartment is said to have been the most 
beautiful specimen of stucco relief in America. M. Waldec 
declares it worthy to be compared to the most beautiful work 
of the Augustan age. 

38 They had in every city or village a public place or 
square appropriated for the traffic of everything which could 
supply the necessities and pleasures of life. Even merchan- 
dise had its particular place. 



Il8 NOTES. 

39 The ancient Mexicans had a superstition that in the last 
night of the fifty-second year of their cycle the sun would 
destroy the world. — John Short. 

Their ancestors had from time immemorial admonished them 
that such years as succeeded each other after every interval of 
fifty-two years would be dangerous, unlucky, calamitous, on 
account of the universal deluge having taken place in such a 
year, and likewise darkness caused by an eclipse of the sun, 
and earthquakes everywhere, — Kingsborough. 

40 Great attention was paid to the flight of birds. The 
carnivora, or battle-birds, were thought to be prescient of the 
times and places of conflict, and their gathering to fatten upon 
the dead on the battle-field was regarded with forebodings. 

41 Quizquo, pronounced Queez'-ko. 

42 The ancient Mexicans paid a superstitious reverence to 
the summits of high mountains which were perpetually covered 
with mists and dark clouds, believing them to be the abodes of 
their mountain gods. 

43 The pointed mace or head-breaker was a most formidable 
weapon. 

44 The great struggle was often at the gates in a desperate 
hand-to-hand encounter. 

45 Tobacco was smoked by the ancient tribes. Their pipes, 
elaborately carved, differed from those of to-day chiefly by 
having no stems. 

46 The men were very expert in the cutting and setting of 
precious stones. 

47 Manabaho, pronounced Man-a-baz-ho', excelled in his 
superhuman and god-like feats. He killed the mammoth ser- 
pent and bear-king. 



NOTES. 119 

48 Papukewis, pronounced Pap-oo-kwees, could turn pirou- 
ettes until he raised a whirlwind. 

49 Kwasind pronounced Kwa-seend, could twist off the 
strongest rope. These things were related to stimulate the 
physical powers of the young. 

50 They were accustomed to decorate the inner walls of 
their temples with vermilion-red ochre. Flowers, fruits, 
heroes, gods, always the Feathered Serpent, were painted or 
sculptured on the walls. 

51 Hurling stones was done wath great skill and precision. 

52 Murzi, pronounced Moor'-zee. 

53 The ancient gorget or medal, bestowed as a mark of 
distinction, was highly prized by the possessor. 



THE END. 




-4 



^ 

4 



> 



